White Magic

The storm blew in last night - fearsome wind, cold air, driving snow and ice against the windows, but this morning we woke up to a spectacular scene and I just can't resist sharing some of the images. This sort of winter storm is ok for the vines - a little moisture, not brutally cold, but not the sort of weather that get's Joan out pruning. That'll have to wait until it warms up to the 70's later this week.

A Great Run - the Great AZ Grape Stomp

Saturday morning was the first 5K race in the Great Arizona Grape Stomp, a series of 4 races in Arizona Wine Country sponsored by the AWGA. It was a beautiful Sonoita morning and a fun, well-planned event full of good spirits. My father beat his predicted running time by 10 minutes, and my mother, Charlie, and I, well...we got in walking under an hour!

The Canelo Hill Raisers: (L-R) Joan, Tim, Kathryn, David, Staci, Sharon, Kevin, Jayson and Fran

We had an awesome team of Canelo Hill Raisers for the race. Old friends Linda, David, Staci, Sharon & Kevin ran and walked with us, and we met Fran and Jayson for the first time and were glad to have them on our team. The team hung out at the winery post-race for muffins and mimosas made with my father's Sparkling Nebbiolo Rosé, a well-deserved treat.

After the race, Todd Bostock of Dos Cabezas WineWorks came over - we were in competition for the best team time. Without even seeing the official race results, he and my father conceded to each other (is that possible?). A bottle of bubbly was at stake, so everyone won.

More photos from race day are below. We're looking forward to next year! And encourage you to register for one of the 3 races still left in this year's Great AZ Grape Stomp.

Todd, Kelly, and Griffin Bostock of Dos Cabezas before the race

Our teammate Linda Wood of Square Top Ranch Alpacas and Joan chat while walking

Canelo Hill Raisers Kevin and Sharon, who seriously improved our team time

Kelly Bostock and the AWGA's Executive Director Rhonni Moffitt

The race stretches long down Elgin Road on a beautiful summer morning

Team Canelo Hills

July 24, 2010 in Sonoita will be the first leg of the very first AWGA Grape Stomp - a 5 kilometer fun run and walk. We are recruiting hardy souls to join the Canelo Hill Raisers (name suggested by our dear friend Jay Branegan in Washington DC) who will run (Tim) and walk (Joan and Kathryn) the distance basking in the cool, fragrant morning air and glorious sights of a Sonoita morning. We have received a challenge from Todd and Kelly of Dos Cabezas - the best team time gets a bottle of sparkly to celebrate. Best time? Hah, who cares? Competition? Now you're talking.

If you join our team you'll get a team t-shirt, coffee and OJ and coffee cake back at our winery after the event, no charge for wine tasting at CHV&W for that day, a team photo posted on this blog, bragging rights, unlimited use of our hose, and a fun time.

When you register (click here for link) be sure to indicate you want to join the Canelo Hills team.





Don't put it off. Do it! It'll be something to tell your great, grand children about or great, grand nieces and nephews, or doggies . . . .