Kindness, an Italian village trait

Posted on September 30, 2021March 16, 2023 by Ernest Barela

Village life in north Tuscany is best described with one word, Kindness. Time moves in increments of centuries here and you will appreciate just how short and precious life really is. The steps are steep, the bugs are plenty, and life takes a little more effort in this quiet Italian village. The beauty of this area is easily seen but the real beauty is felt in the actions of the villagers. The genuine smiles are everywhere and even though english is not spoken here people communicate with strangers through attentiveness and generosity. A gift of basil and tomatoes to say hello. Bottles of water on our front step to help bridge the utility gap after a storm. Potatoes and onions to fill our kitchen. Rural Italian life is indeed complicated but all is made simple through kindness.

Italian treasure

Posted on August 12, 2021March 16, 2023 by Ernest Barela

Living legend

Posted on July 5, 2021March 16, 2023 by Ernest Barela

Every trip to Paris should include a drive to Epernay. The culture and history of the region will consume your senses the minute you exit the A4 and journey through the French countryside to the champagne houses of Epernay.

“Understanding Wine”

Posted on June 24, 2020June 25, 2020 by Ernest Barela

Wine is absolutely fascinating. Like an ancient artifact, wine is history and technique in a bottle just waiting to be discovered. When we look at a bottle of wine it is as if we are looking back in time. Looking beyond the year on the bottle to understand the efforts that came together to create this beautiful wine. So many contributors to be evaluated. The wine maker, the technique, the vineyard, the locality, the country, the people, the packaging, the environment, the history of the moment. Much like the many flavors of a wine stimulate the senses, the infinate number of contributions stimulate the mind. Expanding your knowledge begins with opening a book and speaking with a winemaker. So many avenues to stimulate your mind and experience the love of wine to a greater degree

“Allow Yourself to be Inspired”

Posted on June 18, 2020June 18, 2020 by Ernest Barela

All too often we are making the mistake of breezing through life’s day to day responsiblities and we end up missing out on the beautiful details around us. We move from one thing to the next and never fully absorb the beauty around us. Allow yourself a few seconds to reflect on life around you. Try and move through life as if you were that concentric ripple that occurs when you drop a pebble in a pool of still water. Taking in life at more than just the point of entry. Take a few seconds to look beyond the experience you are involved in. You’re not just taking a picture of a pretty flower. Let yourself truly experience every detail and allow yourself to be inspired. Inspired to learn about the details in the picture. Inspired to learn about others. A simple sunflower and the complexities of Van Gogh?

“Lovely Vine”

Posted on June 16, 2020June 18, 2020 by Ernest Barela

Helping this vine grow (Nicola) is something I look forward to every morning. The vine moves continuously with nature and seeing the growth each morning is like receiving a daily gift from a special friend. Sangiovese vines are both graceful and adventurous in their growth and an absolute joy to interact with every morning. Blessed are the grape growers and the winemakers.

“Capturing Beautiful Memories”

Posted on June 15, 2020June 18, 2020 by Ernest Barela

A great bottle of wine helps encapsulate the special moments in life. What better way to bring many great experiences together than the label on your artisan wine. In this case I capture a special place in our Italian home. A wet Tuscan weekend where you can get wonderful second hand books. The wine made from my favorite Nebbiolo grape and bottled on my birthday as a reminder of the blessing of 51 years of life. “Cinquantuno” to be shared and experienced throughout the year. Alla Salute!

“Anyone can make wine”

Posted on June 14, 2020June 18, 2020 by Ernest Barela

If you ever wondered if your love of wine could get any greater I am here to tell you that it definately can. Making wine is the ultimate experience to advance your understanding and love of wine. The beautiful smell of the grape, The yeast filling your ears with the music of fermentation, The transformation that occurs as the wine clears itself into some of natures most incredible colors, and most of all the timeless experience of bottling your own wine.

Moving to this deeper appreciation of wine begins with selecting a cool peacful area in your home where you will hone your craft. The wine making equipment is a manageable investment of both space and cost. If you aspire to become an artisan wine maker but don’t know where to begin or have a question then please follow along for some pics, tips and maybe even a flick.