Posted on 05/02/2005 9:52:22 AM PDT by Army Air Corps
Driving east on U.S. 67/90, you may have noticed a sign hanging on a gate a couple of miles outside Marfa announcing, ‘Starlight Vineyards.’ Although the sign has been there for months, the grapevines have just arrived.
Linda and John Armstrong officially moved to Marfa from Houston last week, and Linda said they are ready to start planting the almost 2,000 vines they ordered from respected Vintage Nurseries in California.
Even better is the news that this Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30, the good citizens of the Big Bend are invited to help.
Armstrong said she expects to begin planting at about 9 a.m. both days. Refreshments and food will be provided by a local restaurant and bar, and the Charles Maxwell band will start making music at 2 p.m.
“It’s going to be very casual,” she said. “Everyone can plant and party until they get tired and go home.”
Armstrong pointed out that the planting won’t be very strenuous since 2,000 holes have already been dug on the 20 acres the couple will use to plant.
“We have it all squared away,” she promises. “Just put the vine in the hole and cover it with dirt.”
A number of Marfa High School students who signed up to assist with the planting will be eligible to receive a $500 scholarship the Armstrong’s are offering.
While the estate grapes won’t be ready for a couple years, by next spring, Armstrong said she hopes to have bushels of fine quality cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, biognier and shiraz grapes from other wineries with which to make Marfa’s very first homegrown wines. Future plans also include construction of adobe-style winery complete with a tasting room and a viewing area for the Marfa Lights, which Armstrong said are still a mystery to her.
“I came out with preconceived notions that they were gas or whatnot,” she said. “Shoot, I have no idea what they are now.”
To take part in the planting and festivities, visit the Starlight Vineyard and Winery some 2.8 miles east of Marfa on U.S. 67/90 or call the Armstrongs at 713.828.4193 or 832.452.8598.
I wonder if I can get free soda if UPS lets me drive one of their trucks.
Sounds like fun, I would choose Texas hill country for my vinyard and B&B.
Ping
Odd News Ping
Well, I promised a funny one and here it is...
Anyone who wants to be added, just say "Yo!"
Do you have a current CDL? :-)
It amazing the amount of stuff we've gotten people to do around our place when we give 'em a BBQ dinner and beer.
(but they don't get beer until we're done!)
;)
"(but they don't get beer until we're done!)"
Well, ya gotta keep some kind of a carrot up yer sleeve! :-)
I'll renew if I get some of that new Sierra Mist!
Six pack or a case?
Folks coming over for working and drinking is fine till it turns into drinking and......... kinda working!
LOL!
Well, considering that they want folks to volunteer to work for free, it is a possibility...
"Work, commrades, for the joy of work"
If you feel like working for free, do these folks have a deal for you...
Correctomundo.
That would have been so much fun!
The nice thing about it is that Marfa is a lovely place and is picturesque this time of year. In fact, I do believe that the Bluebonnets are in bloom there.
If you can't get your own daggone vines in the ground, how the heck can you think you'll have a successful vineyard?
Watch someone trip and bruise their elbow and sue the pants off them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.