Re-Revisiting Mitas Hill

Under construction

We made another visit to what has become a favorite place to hangout, Mitas Hill Vineyards. In mid-February, we were lucky to receive a special invitation to be a part of Mitas Hill Charter membership, so we swung by and chatted with their VP of Operations. We have not made our decision to join but we were beyond flattered to get this incredible opportunity.

Inside the future Ballroom

One of the things I enjoy the most of visiting the Mitas family is chatting with Mr. Mitas. He took us on quick visit to see the Event Center that is under construction. The last time we were here in late October, the foundation had been poured and the walls were starting to come up.

The shell of the place is impressive, so I can only imagine how the awesome the completed building will look like this summer. It is big enough to hold wedding receptions, their regular customers, and also their charter members, all at the same time. Mr. Mitas said that the center is bigger than even he imagined!

Peeking towards The Lodge at Mitas Hill.

I asked him a few things: when they'll start pruning the vines- they are probably getting ready to do that soon- and that his winemaker daughter had just returned from an educational trip out west with six hundred new Zinfandel vines. I should have asked how those vines will translate into actual acreage.

Overlooking Cabernet Sauvignon vines.

I did ask if he'd gone over to the TWGGA convention that was being held over in Frisco. He said that he had for a while, said hello to folks, but that he had to get back. He did mention that a lot of vendors sold items that were not necessarily geared towards the Texas Wine industry as a whole- the operations in the state are not yet big enough to warrant many things that the vendors sell. We both agreed that in several years the industry will be there. 

Patio + Mitas Hill wine = Can't wait!

Mr. Mitas feels that more Texas wineries  should build more event centers similar to his in order to make them true Texas Wine destinations that will attract more than the passing-through crowd. He thinks that the Texas Hill Country wineries near Fredericksburg would be a perfect place to start this trend.

Whether or not to join the Vineyard Club and Wine Appreciation Society has yet to be decided, but what was decided early on was that Mitas Hill Vineyard is a wonderful place to visit with great wine and the exceptional Mitas family.

Sharing some "Words with Wings" Thoughts on a book of poetry by Nikki Grimes

When I pick up a book of poetry I usually pick out a random page and read what is there. In this case I read "Planetarium" from Nikki Grimes' "Words with Wings." And it was the last sentence that made me read the entire book in one sitting: "Me, I gather new words
like moon rocks,
souvenirs I get to keep
long after we leave."

The main character is Gabby, a daydreamer, who's inattention in school and home gets in the way of her schoolwork and chores from time to time. Her daydreams take wing and cover everything from her newly divorced parents, snowflakes, comets, and the aforementioned planetarium. And each as vivid as Gabby should want them to be.

Thoughts of my own daughter flashed through my mind as I read Gabby's story. Perhaps seeing similar facets of her in Gabby's words made the poetic verses stand out even more. I have only scratched the surface on reading Grimes' poetry and this book has me hooked.