ECM PADRES REPORT: DISAPPOINTMENT SUNDAY
Printer-friendly versionBy Liz Alper Photo via @padres on Twitter September 11, 2022 (San Diego) – The Dodgers got revenge last night in game two. Both teams looked for the series win today with Andrew Heaney on the mound for L.A. against Grossmont High alum Joe Musgrove. Jake Cronenworth put the Padres on top in the second with a high, deep homer to right and José Azocar scored on an error in the third and the Padres led 2-0 after three. Justin Turner and Chris Taylor both hit solo homers in the fifth to tie the game at two after five. From then on, it was all Dodgers. Max Muncy singled in the sixth to score two, Trea Turner singled in the seventh to score Cody Bellinger and Muncy walked with the bases loaded to score Mookie Betts. Justin Turner capped off the seventh with a grand slam and the Dodgers led 10-2 after seven. Trea Turner hit a solo homer in the ninth and the Dodgers sent the Padres into their day off destroyed, 11-2 and clinch a berth in the 2022 postseason. UP NEXT After a day off, the Padres go up to Seattle for two games of interleague ball with the Mariners. Game one on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. and can also be seen on MLB Network. Logan Gilbert will start for Seattle. TRANSACTIONS Cam Gallagher claimed off waivers by Orioles Nabil Crismatt and Matt Beaty optioned to El Paso Craig Stammen activated from 60-day IL Tayler Scott designated for assignment Printer-friendly version
GOFUNDME SITES SET UP TO HELP SURVIVORS OF BORDER 32 FIRE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 11, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Some lost homes. Others lost outbuildings, horses, and vehicles. Damages included wells needed for water, orchards, and more. One needs help to pay her dog’s emergency veterinary bill. All are survivors of the Border Fire, which scorched through the Barrett Junction, Dulzura and Potrero communities – and all need your help through donations at GoFundMe.com. Owner of injured dog needs help to pay emergency veterinary bill Pam Magoffin needs help to pay the medical bill for her dog, Dutch, who suffered lung damage in the Border 32 fire. “When the fire broke out and the mandatory evacuation went into effect we were at work. We tried to get home and they would not let us in,” she wrote. “The power went out and Dutch was stuck in the house with no electricity to run the AC. My husband was able to get to the house and check on the Dutch. The heat and the smoke was causing breathing issues for Dutch and he could not walk; my husband ended up taking him to the vet and they were completely booked from all of the other affected by the fire, so he had to take him to urgent care. Dutch is a part of my family and I love him a lot.” She says, adding that she could not bear to lose him.” Learn more and donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/7nany-medical-treatment-for-dog?qid=2c7078fb11e9e4c66985d4ade1a9f63f Grice family with three children lost home Jason Ford started this fundraiser for his sister, Kimberly Grice. “Kim and Jon and their three amazing girls have lost everything in the Border32 fire,” he wrote. “Their home and belongings are a complete loss and they were only given about 10 minutes to grab anything they could. I am helping raise funds so they can get the essentials. Any amount is greatly appreciated.” The Grice family’s story has been covered by 10 News: Read more and donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/grice-family-loss-of-home?qid=d346c2e0a8b497d0cadc6ba9d1dc1807 Quintanilla family lost home, had damage to property affecting Michelle Lopez posted that her family lost their home on Barrett Smith Road. “Our house was burned by the Border 32 Fire,” she says, adding, “My Grandma lost all her paper work she wasn’t able to grab her purse and we all lost all our belongings.” She adds, “It really feels hard to ask when we have always been the ones to help others in need…any little bit helpsand we really do appreciate all that help; thank you in advance from all us.” Read more and donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/we-lost-our-home-in-the-border-32-fire?member=21787209&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer A second fundraiser for the Quintanella’s extended family, which suffered multiple losses, has also been posted byRachel Bender Quintanella. She writes, “We only had minutes to leave with my 3 kids and 5 animals. Unfortunately my mother–in-law completely lost her house and barn and sheds.” While her own home was saved by firefighters, Quintanella says her family suffered damage to their pool and a Volkswagon beetle car, as well as smoke damage to clothes and furniture. “We also had to throw away all the food in our refrigerator and freezer,” she wrote. “We are looking to see if we could get some help just for the few items we have damage to, and because we don’t feel comfortable staying here, looking for help to get a rental in town.” https://www.gofundme.com/f/border-32-fire?qid=5b10f1f0e8c244eec00cba5f5321c46a Sommers family’s dreams dashed; loses are uninsured Gemma and Ryan Sommers suffered major damage to their Potrero property, where fire destroyed the RV home of Ryan’s uncle, Mark Sommers, who had only enough time to escape with his dog and the clothes on his back. The family’s well suffered major damage, leaving them without water. “ My husband did what he could to battle the fire and save our home but in the process we also lost a lot of our farm tools and equipment along with 10 solar panels, all of our propane, materials for building (wood, pvc, beams) and about 50 fruit trees,” Gemma Sommers wrote. “We really are not the type of people to ask for help,but are at a point that we had so much damage and don’t have insurance, as we were in the process of getting ready to build a permanent forever home. We don’t want to say goodbye to our land that has been in our family these past 21+ years. We want to live out my late father-in-laws dream of a place of self-sufficiency, and a spot for family, friends and the community to gather and enjoy.” Read more and donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/homestead-border-32-fire?qid=f41cae2cfc855088dd5c57275dd84e9a Gaskins family lost barns, outbuildings, livestock and damage to well Michaela Gaskins posted, “Our property was heavily affected by the Border 32 fire. 1 home is gone and multiple barns and out buildings were lost, including my mom’s beloved chickens in their barn. Our well is damaged so we have no water for a unknown amount of time and also no electricity as most of the power lines are gone. Everyone is having to run on generators. This has been a very emotional time for my entire family. “ The couple also lost a horse, though a kindly neighbor paid veterinary care for a second horse. In addition, their well is badly damaged and must be fixed to restore running water. Gaskins thanks those who have donated and shared their story, adding, “It means so much to me and my family!” Learn more and donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-our-family-repair-our-property?qid=34da397faebe546a18bf703f1f0daf68 Daughter seeks help for Dad who lost home Kristine Campbell has started a fundraiser for her father, who lost his home in the Border 32 Fire. This is the second loss to fire for the family, which lost their bible camp on the same property back in 2008. “My Dad and Grandpa got out safely. Unfortunately, my Dad lost his home and all that was in it,” she wrote, adding that her father needs essentials such as clothing and will need to rebuild from the ground up. Read more and donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/v6zvp-lost-to-the-fire?qid=0c862e0c8430d8f1f521683e9b7e3059 Printer-friendly version
DESPITE HEROIC EFFORTS TO SAVE PROPERTY DURING BORDER 32 FIRE, FAMILY SUSTAINS LOSSES AND NEEDS HELP
Printer-friendly versionRetired paramedic loses RV home; family’s water well, solar panels and dreams up in smoke By Miriam Raftery Photos by Henri Migala, Miriam Raftery, Ryan and Gemma Sommers September 10, 2022 (Potrero) – Ryan and Gemma Sommers had a dream—to build an earth-berm home on 80 acres in Potrero that Ryan grew up on and inherited from his father. So when the Border 32 Fire swept through the community last week, Ryan didn’t hesitate – he headed into the wildfire and fought singlehandedly to save what he could. But the family had no insurance, and their losses are overwhelming. “I have been trying to live out my father’s dream of living self-sustainability on a ranch,” says Ryan, who lost his father to pancreatic cancer in 2020. Now the fire has torched much of their property, including burning his uncle’s RV home to the ground. “My uncle has lost everything,” Ryan reflects. Ryan and Gemma also suffered major losses, with Ryan risking his life to save what he could. On a GoFundMe page set up to help the family repair and rebuild their lives, Gemma wrote, “We don’t want to say goodbye to our land that has been in our family these past 21+ years..” The flames destroyed an RV housing Ryan’s Uncle, Mark Sommers, who also lost all of his belongings and an outbuilding filled with tools. Flames heavily damaged the family’s well, leaving them without water and in need of a very costly repair. Solar panels, an orchard with 60 fruit trees, a truck, propane tanks, farm equipment, tools, and cherished belongings were all reduced to ashes. It could have been far worse. After learning of the fire from his aunt in Alpine as well as an alert sent by the County, Ryan drove an hour and a half to reach the property, just before firefighters shut down Highway 94 completely. “I decided specifically to come back and fight the fire,” Ryan told ECM in an interview at his property. “Five minutes later, and I wouldn’t have gotten in.” Gemma, following closely behind Ryan, was turned away by firefighters. Ryan says that’s a good thing, since conditions quickly became harrowing. She had hoped to load up belongings and take them to safety. “All I could see were flames covering the entire mountain. I was in a complete panic because my husband was in there.” She pleaded to be let in, to no avail. She waited and prayed until she received a call from Ryan an hour later, assuring her he was safe. But Ryan’s ordeal was only beginning. “I came prepared with a full-face respirator,” says Ryan in an email sent to ECM. “The entire west ridge of Potrero Peak was on fire. Our oak trees were on fire, including the entire canyon. Basically, I was in the middle of it all.” When he arrived, his uncle’s RV was already fully engulfed in flames. He pulled his truck into an open area, figuring he could take shelter in a neighbor’s vineyard if all else failed. “I held the flames back from the house using a water hose and fire retardant, chain saw, shovel and rake, running back and forth to the front and side of the house, putting out smoldering small fires that were right up against the house (a modest structure used as a weekend getaway while the couple has been saving to build their dream home). But the situation worsened quickly. “Eventually, the propane tanks started bursting and shooting 20 to 30 feet in flames in every direction but me, thankfully. All I could do was hunker down next to a dirt berm and wait out the propane fire while spraying water to keep surrounding things from igniting…A pipe melted, causing the water tank to drain while I was battling, leaving me with less and less water pressure…Our water well generator burned. The firefighting equipment, gas powered water pup and hoses, burned before I could set them up.” Ryan credits clearing defensible space recently around the structure for giving him the ability to save it. “If that brush around the house that we cleared before hadn’t been cleared, there wouldn’t have been a house here to come back to.” He also used a chainsaw to cut down trees close to structures while the fire was raging. He soaked the deck, and went to check on his neighbor’s house. He was able to save two 40-foot-long containers that contain supplies for Gemma’s business providing childcare at events, as well as some tools, though Mark lost a container filled with his own tools along with all of his other belongings in the RV. One truck burned, but Ryan saved an Isuzu Trooper by backing it up away from flames that damaged the front end. Dramatic photos and videos reveal the nightmare conditions he was facing single-handedly. Asked what he was feeling during the ordeal, Ryan recalls, “I was more determined than afraid, more hellbent than anything. Fear of losing everything, that overrode everything else.” Ryan says he saw one fire engine on the road, but it left without taking action. He isn’t sure if firefighters saw him or not. The story is all too familiar to many Potrero residents, who have historically risked their lives staying behind to fight fires when no firefighters were available. Firefighters from multiple agencies did hold the Border 32 fire to 4,456 acres, with several homes and outbuildings lost, amid high winds in steep, treacherous conditions. But help came too late for the Sommers’ site. The family’s property burned once before, during the 2007 Harris Fire, when the family lost cars and containers. His uncle, Mark is a former first responder/paramedic who recently survived a heart attack and came her to retire. He still has memory lapses, struggling to find the words, after being unconscious for 20 minutes after his heart failed and he received a second chance at life. Mark Sommers first came to the family’s Potrero property, a wind-swept hilltop
NEED LAUGHS? OPEN MIC NIGHT AT THE HAMLETT SEPT. 16 IN LEMON GROVE
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 11, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Improvement Council invites you to stand up comedy open mic night at the Hamlett coffee house. The fun begins at 7 p.m. Want to perform? Sign up by emailing Teresa Rosiak at teresa.rosial2019@gmail.com or call 619-991-1004. The Hamlett is located at 7801 Broadway in Lemon Grove, on the corner of Broadway and Lemon Grove Avenue. Printer-friendly version
SDSU FOOTBALL: AZTECS KNOCK OFF IDAHO STATE 38-7
Printer-friendly versionSource: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com September 10, 2022 (San Diego) – The Aztec football team (1-1) earned their first win of the 2022 season with a 38-7 victory over Idaho State (0-2) Saturday evening at Snapdragon Stadium. SDSU was fueled by three long touchdowns in the first half and their defense held the Bengals scoreless for the final 59 minutes to earn their first win in Snapdragon Stadium. Jordan Byrd had two touchdowns, a 66-yard punt return early in the first quarter and then a 53-yard rush on the first play of the second quarter. Sandwiched between Byrd’s scores was a Braxton Burmeister 47-yard rushing touchdown. Burmeister also completed a 14-yard touchdown to Tyrell Shavers in the fourth quarter. The Bengals scored their lone touchdown on the second play of the game when Xavier Guillory caught a slant and scampered for 75 yards. The Aztecs outrushed Idaho State 380-80 and averaged 8.8 yards per carry. Jaylon Armstead led all rushers with a career-high 96 yards, which included a 61-yard run late in the game. Davaughn Celestine had a team-high nine tackles (eight solo) and broke up two passes. Patrick McMorris, C.J. Baskersville and Caden McDonald each added eight tackles while McDonald had a team-high 2.5 tackles for loss. The Aztecs will head to No. 13/15 Utah (1-1) next Saturday night (7 p.m. PT/8 p.m. MT) for their first road game of the year. Box Postgame notes Postgame quotes Printer-friendly version
SDSU VOLLEYBALL DEALT FIVE-SET HEARTBREAKER BY SAC STATE
Printer-friendly versionSource: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com September 10, 2022 (San Diego) – The San Diego State volleyball team fought back from a two-set deficit on Saturday but could not pull off the reverse sweep, as visiting Sacramento State hung on for a five-set victory (19-25, 26-28, 25-21, 25-22, 8-15) to close out the Aztec Classic inside Peterson Gym. With the loss, SDSU suffered its sixth straight defeat, falling to 2-7 overall, while the Hornets snapped a four-match slide, improving to 3-6 on the young season. The Aztecs received 15 kills apiece from Mikela Labno and Madison Corf, both of which were career highs, while Heipua Tautau’a reached the double-digit kill plateau with 14 put-aways of her own. In addition, Tautua’a finished with her third double-double of the season after posting 14 digs, providing ample back row support for Ellie Geoghegan, who set a personal-best with 23 scoops, while Noa Miller (27 assists) and Sarena Gonzalez (23 assists) split the setting chores. Despite maintaining a 61-55 collective advantage in kills and a 55-49 margin in digs, however, SDSU committed more attack errors (28-21) and finished with a 12.0 to 6.0 deficiency in team blocks. Additionally, the Aztecs were plagued by 12 service errors, while Sac State held a slight 10-6 edge in aces. Still, the teams battled through an entertaining and competitive match, combining for 30 ties and 16 leads changes on the afternoon. Trailing 2-0 in sets, SDSU finally broke through in the third frame, with Corf and Labno each supplying five kills apiece, while Tautua’a and Elly Schraeder floored two shots apiece in that span. The Aztecs found themselves on the wrong side of a 11-10 score but took the lead for good following a Corf put-away, while the Hornets committed two straight errant attacks. Shortly thereafter, Sac State remained within striking distance at 17-16 following a Kalani Hayes kill and an SDSU attack error. However, the Scarlet and Black kept the visitors at bay down the stretch, as Corf launched three non-returnables, while Tautua’a and Miller each served up ace. Labno soon provided the clincher with a tremendous put-away to give the host school a much-needed boost. The Aztecs rode that momentum into the fourth set, building a 17-13 cushion, as Schraeder and Kayla Rivera joined forces on a block, while each blasted a kill. However, Sac State responded with a 7-0 run, fueled by three Greta Davis kills and a Carrie Crom service ace. Suddenly facing a 20-17 deficit, the Aztecs called timeout and subsequently turned the tables with an opportune 7-2 closing run to send the match to a fifth and deciding set. Corf and Schraeder powered down two kills each, while the Scarlet and Black benefited from a pair of Hornet ball-handling errors and a wayward attack in that span. SDSU’s good fortune waned in the final frame, as Sac State used a 10-4 blitz to break a 2-2 deadlock to seize control. Tiyana Kamba-Griffin took center stage during the run with three kills and two combined blocks alongside Ashtin Olin, while Crom and Bridgette Smith each contributed an ace. Davis and Ellie Tisko led the Hornets with 14 kills apiece, while Caitlin Volkmann (.375) floored 12 shots of her own, including the match-winner in set five. In addition, Olin recorded a double-double as well after dishing out 43 assists and contributing 11 digs, while Smith (3 aces) totaled 15 scoops in the victory. Not to be outdone, Hayes was a key factor at the net with seven block assists, while Kamba-Griffin totaled five stops, including a solo stuff. After an inconsistent effort in the opening set, SDSU had a chance to even the match in the second stanza thanks to a combined 17 kills from Labno (5), Rivera (4), Corf (4) and Tautua’a (3). However, Sac State benefited from eight Aztec attack errors and two wayward serves to escape. Neither side managed a separation of greater than four points, as the set witnessed 10 ties and four lead changes. The Hornets ultimately reached set point at 24-22 following an errant SDSU attack. However, the Scarlet and Black flashed its resiliency with a Rivera kill, while Schraeder and Labno joined forces on a block. Shortly thereafter, the Aztecs had two chances of their own to close out the frame, forging a 26-25 lead thanks to a Labno kill. But Sac State quickly fought itself off the proverbial ropes with three straight points on kills by Kamba-Griffin and Olin sandwiched around a Smith ace. San Diego State continues its homestand on Thursday, Sept. 15 when it welcomes No. 22 UCLA to Aztec Court at Peterson Gym. First serve is set for 7 p.m. Box Printer-friendly version
PADRE DAM BOARD APPOINTS NEW BOARD MEMBER TO DIVISION 5
Printer-friendly versionSource: Padre Dam Municipal Water District September 10, 2022 (Santee) – Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors has appointed Rocky Qualin to the Board of Directors to fill the vacancy in Division 5 as the result of the recent passing of James Peasley. Qualin took the oath of office at the Board meeting on September 7, 2022 and then participated in his first meeting. Qualin will hold office for the balance of the unexpired term which expires December 2, 2022. “My interest in being part of the Padre Dam board is to ensure that my community is provided with safe and reliable water and sewer services at the lowest costs possible,” stated new Board member Rocky Qualin. “I believe Jim’s service on the Board was achieving this and I hope to continue down the successful path he created as I fill this roll.” Qualin is the only candidate for the Division 5 seat for the next four year term which will begin in December 2022 and go through November 2026. Therefore, Qualin will be reseated as the Division 5 representative in December for the next four year term. Qualin is a long‐time Santee resident. He has been married to his wife Jenni for 19 years and has two children – a son that attends Santana High School and a daughter attending Grossmont Community College. Qualin graduated and earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from San Diego State University. He has over 25 years of experience as a banking and insurance executive involved with budgeting, managing cash flow and analyzing risk for small to large size companies. In addition to serving on Padre Dam’s Board Qualin also serves on the Board of Governors for the Grossmont Hospital Foundation as well as the Board of Directors for the local non‐profit Lion’s Camp Jack, which sends foster & at‐risk youth to summer camp. About Padre Dam Padre Dam provides water, sewer, recycled water and recreation services to approximately 102,000 residents in East San Diego County including Santee, El Cajon, Lakeside, Flinn Springs, Harbison Canyon, Blossom Valley, Alpine, Dehesa and Crest. The District is a public agency with policies and procedures directed by an elected five‐member Board of Directors. The District imports 100% of our treated water supply and treats two million gallons per day (MGD) of wastewater at our Water Recycling Facility. Please visit www.padredam.org for more information. Printer-friendly version
ECM PADRES REPORT: DODGERS COME BACK IN GAME TWO
Printer-friendly versionBy Liz Alper Photo: Manny Machado via @padres on Twitter September 10, 2022 (San Diego) – The Padres walked it off in fine fashion last night thanks to Jake Cronenworth. They tried to take the series tonight with Julio Urias on the mound for L.A. against Blake Snell. The Dodgers struck first in the third after Trea Turner tripled on a ball that should have been caught by Jose Azocar or Juan Soto. Freddie Freeman lined a ball to right center to score him, but Manny Machado hit an absolute bomb in the home half of the third off the Western Metal Supply Co. Building for his 27th homer of the year and we were tied at one after three. With the bases loaded in the fifth and nobody out, Trea Turner doubled to left center that scored three. Freeman doubled to left to score Trea Turner and Snell’s night was done. Nabil Crismatt replaced him and gave up a fielder’s choice to Justin Turner that scored Freeman and the Dodgers led 5-1 after five. Machado tried again with a deep solo homer in the sixth to center. The Dodgers still led 6-2 after six. Freeman extended the lead with a two-run homer to center in the seventh. Chris Taylor singled down the third base line to score Will Smith and the Dodgers led 8-2 after seven. Jurickson Profar tried with a sac fly to deep right in the ninth that scored Josh Bell and Luis Campusano doubled on a slow ball to left that scored Wil Myers, but the Dodgers got proper revenge with an 8-4 win in game two. UP NEXT The rubber game is tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. Andrew Heaney started for L.A. against Grossmont High alum Joe Musgrove. TRANSACTIONS Austin Nola activated from paternity list Reiss Knehr optioned to El Paso Matt Beaty designated for assignment Pierce Johnson activated from 60-day IL Printer-friendly version
FROM VINE TO TABLE: HARVEST TIME AT TREVI HILLS WINERY IN LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly versionBy Shiloh Ireland September 10, 2022 (Lakeside) — It was a dark and calm morning as I arrived at 5:00 a.m. on August 16 at Trevi Hills Winery in Lakeside, where each harvest, several varieties are hand-picked by staff as well as neighbors who enjoy coming out and volunteering their time. I saw headlamps and heard muffled voices about 70 feet from my car. Soon, I made contact in the vineyard with Michael Larranaga who is vineyard general manager and sommelier, someone I have known for years who always has a friendly smile. He is in charge of the operation from the vine to the table. We talked for a few minutes and I explained that I would be fairly unobtrusive with my camera and drone. This sector of the vineyards has white and sweet grapes that will be bottled as Sauvignon Blanc. On the table in the dark, I observed gloves, headlamps and snips for the harvesters. Each person had a five-gallon bucket. At one end of the vineyard were three large bins where the buckets would be emptied during stage one of the harvest. I returned to my car and waited for first light, which my phone app displayed as 6.15 am. Checking my gear and now knowing the basic layout, I pondered how I was going to use my photography to best bring the process to the reader. The drone would enhance the overhead visuals whereas the camera would emphasize the people and the steps. As light began to appear, I returned to the area and asked Michael if I could participate in the grape harvest. Soon, with gloves, and snips and a headlamp to better see the clusters, I was in the harvest. It was a nice surprise to see and speak with neighbors I know as well as ones that I soon met. Why meet up at 5 a.m.? Larranaga said, “The process begins in darkness to avoid the August heat and also to avoid the many important bees that arrive soon after light to the attractant of grapes.” Step 1-Picking the Grapes. Picking grapes does get sticky, but tolerable. Each side of each row had folks cutting the clusters. Netting had been in place to discourage birds from feasting on tasty treats. Fifteen rows were picked on both sides; we ended about 8:30 a.m. As the harvesters finished and crossed the street to the winery to clean up and have a light breakfast, I stayed in the field to photograph the movement of grapes to the winery. Soon, a gentleman in a skip loader picked up each bin for delivery and weigh-in. Step 2-Preparing the Machinery. Most of the processing machinery is crafted in Italy and is stainless steel. All of these machines are rinsed with water and the processing room has an array of valves, hoses and parts that are production equipment. The gross weight picked totaled 950 lbs. of grapes. The conveyor belt, once assembled, was ready to move the grapes to a machine that extracted stems and another for the juice and pulp. The challenging task in this step was hand scooping the grapes from each bin into the hopper feeding the conveyor belt. Those buckets were used again. When asked why the bin could not be hydraulically positioned over and into the hopper mechanically, I was told by staff, Steve and Robert, ”The risk of tipping it over is possible and loss of time and a mess occurs.” After the three bins were finished with this step, I was offered a taste of the juice and was surprised how sweet it was. The color was green and thick with pulp. Step-3-The Presser. This is the process of squeezing the last portion of juice from the grapes while the juice is traveling via a floor motorized tube and vacuum to the storage tank. Again, the buckets are hand-scooping the pulp into the presser. Another pump has emptied most of the juice and sent to the storage container prior to the presser. Step-4-Clean Up. The presser holds the heavy mash that is often used for animal feed at completion. I took a bucket home and my chickens and horses enjoyed it. All the machinery is now cleaned and the presser is a cylindrical shaped juicer which required a few cleanings before processing the three bins. The mash is removed by hand. Now, I observed Michael calibrating the temperature of the storage tank, since it will be chilled for several months and checks are made for any sediments and the yeast and other chemicals will be added later to initiate the fermentation. Unlike red grapes that are sent to oak barrels for up to three years, this wine is stored in the chilled reservoir for several months. According to Larranaga, “There is a two-day window to harvest grapes as to avoid too early or too late.“ I began harvesting when I was seventeen years old years old in Sonoma.” When the wine is ready, a special truck arrives that comes in and labels and bottles the wine actually on the truck itself. I look forward to seeing that in the future. Trevi Hills Winery is located at 13010 Muth Valley Road, Lakeside 92040 and is open Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm It has occasional entertainment and also hosts private events. Interested in assisting with the harvesting and processing? Contact Michael at 248.302.1567. He can advise on the next harvest dates. Photo, below left: Michael Larranaga via Trevi Hills Winery Printer-friendly version