Happy Spring from Lost Creek Hippies Vineyard!

Happy Spring to all lovers of Peace, Charity, Grapes and Lost Creek Hippies Vineyard! We have started pruning and although we see some remaining damage from the Winter of 2013-14, our vines are generally healthy and ready to grow.

We officially have a full vineyard! With about 1,650 vines; 1,200 of which are going to produce grapes to harvest this September. We are “retraining” our Marquette from low to high-cordon, generally this will take 2-3 years, however this should result in a better harvest volume and ultimately enhance the quality of our grapes. Our newly planted Prairie Star vines are doing well with 250 of the 550 vines producing white grapes this September.

Because each varietal vine matures differently, starting this year in September we will be hosting 2 separate harvests. This is the time when we really need your help! As always, we will let you know the dates of the harvest as soon as possible. As many know, this is always a challenge as our winery must test the grapes weekly starting a month before harvest, plotting a slope of the sugar and acidity over time. The winery often cannot let us know a harvest date until only 2-3 weeks before. However, rest assured we will update you as soon as the dates are set.

We intend, as usual, to have a fun time. This is our celebration of a year of work, and we will again set up volleyball and other lawn games, and have a great “downhome” dinner with wine (and other beverages). Those inclined to stay for a bonfire at the evening are strongly encouraged.

Additionally, we have 2 upcoming events which are much more physically challenging:

• April 17-19: Pruning and trellis construction. This is for those who take an active interest in vineyard management. New helpers can expect a lot of observation and close management, as this step sets our vines up for the growing season.

• Friday, August 10: Netting and clipping of about 20 rows.

Both of these events will start at 10 A.M., lunch at 2 P.M., then finish in the afternoon. Call me at 763-354-0880 if you would like more info re either of these events.

Our 2014 Altered States Apple Wine is going to be bottled and labeled soon, and we look forward to giving each and every volunteer a bottle for each and every day you are able to help us. This is our way of saying Thanks, and encouraging more contributions to our 3 charities.

Also, in order to help increase donations to our 3 great charities, we will be able to supply as many bottles of our wine as you would like for a party you may plan ( birthday, wedding, anniversary, etc ). You simply make an appropriate contribution ( in your name ) to one of our charities, they let us know, and the wine is yours! You get great wine and our charities benefit. Call for further info.

All who have helped us with past plantings and harvests are always invited to stop by anytime for a vineyard visit. Pepin is a fun place to visit during the Summer, and we highly recommend the Harborview Café for dinner. If we’re there, we’d love the break to show you around. Give me a call at 763-354-0880 to see if we are at our farm and vineyard.

So, Lost Creek Hippies Vineyard will continue, with your so important help, on our mission: Helping to transform our world into a more peaceful, inclusive, and healthy place. We believe that the world needs our help, and that what each of us does really matters, and that when we help others, there is a positive effect that come back to each of us. We are all connected in this beautiful world!

Peace and Charity,

Lost Creek Hippies Vineyard