Westview Vineyards

12/01/2018

It's been a tough call, but I've decided to call it quits with the vineyard. The soil isn't great, the vines are slowly dying off, and the amount of work vs reward is not worth it. The bird damage, the spraying for disease and beetles, the constant pruning which I couldn't keep up with by myself, and the w**d control really add up. And, to be honest, there are some memories which are still too strong out there that I will never shake off.

I am planning on keeping a few rows to experiment with home wine making, but a full acre is just unrealistic to take care of on my own, especially when the variety I chose has a tendency to die off suddenly.

Wish me luck. Thank for all of the likes, and thanks to all who came out to check it out.

Peace out.

Jeff

01/19/2018

Sleep well boys. I'm leaving more buds on you, and giving you plenty of nutrients to work with this year. Much work ahead.

12/31/2017

As many of you know, I've been pretty frustrated with the vineyard and my business relationship with a winery which shall remain nameless. Disease, bird damage, frost, drought, and a lack of time to commit are all issues to consider. But when someone sends an email a week before harvest and says they can't accept your grapes this year, it's a bit of a kick in the teeth.
And, although there is a difference between cutting losses and giving up, after many conversations with Mickie, her brother Dennis, Christina, and many wineries while scrambling for a buyer, I have decided I'm in no position to do either. We have no control over some of the things listed above, but anyone who knows me knows I am, perhaps, a little too tenacious. So be it.
We have another year of nutrients in the basement, vines which are fully developed, new buyers lined up, and an endless supply of optimism. Long story short, it's only one acre, I have nothing to lose, and I choose to go for it. Worst case scenario: Fewer grapes than expected, and a beautifully manicured vineyard. Best case: Many grapes and a beautifully manicured vineyard. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL FROM WESTVIEW VINEYARDS!!

Go for it.

04/23/2017

Whoever said weekends were a good thing never owned a f...ing vineyard. 😡

07/05/2016

The vines love thunderstorms, too. :-)

05/03/2014

Finally done pruning as of tonight. Had a few libations while picking up cuttings to celebrate.

04/13/2014

Time to bundle up and get out there and prune.

Judy Reith Rozelle is not only passionate about conducting grape trials and research, but also about helping people throughout Wisconsin successfully start their own vineyards.

11/29/2013

It's black Friday. But the vines and I have decided we don't care. We're resting.

10/05/2013

One more walk through the vineyard on the eve of harvest, just for a little more reassurance. Even in the dark, they are looking fantastic.

08/24/2013

Well, it's about 5 weeks from harvest, depending on the weather, and I can humbly say that this is the best the vineyard has ever looked. The rows are manicured, the fruit is bountiful, and I finally say after 7 years of endless hard work, this project is looking like what I had envisioned when the idea was born. I don't even know where to start with the thank you's. Friends, family, you know who you are. But especially Christina, for really throwing yourself into it and loving it so much. It's how every endeavor should be approached, and i truly appreciate your efforts. Thank you all, and I'll try to keep this page updated between now and harvest. Now go drink some wine!

08/24/2013

A few pics with the droid. (marginal quality. I should really get a real camera.)

08/24/2013

Beautiful pictures by Jessica Smith Rashke