Spring 2008

We had a very productive Spring here at Freed Estate Vineyards! A lot of progress was made on the barn, and we got started on removing trailers from the property and building our Lodge.

We also found out some great news! Our son, Bryan, has been accepted to Oregon State University (go Beavs!) and will enter the Horticulture program this Fall term. We hope that he will bring what he learns back to Freed Estate Vineyards and help us in our continuing goal of producing a superior crop!

Here are some photos of the season:

Spring's first flowers, daffodils, blooming under the Freed Estate sign.


Putting the wall up where the tasting area of the barn will be.


Getting the measurements just right. Math is hard!


I can assure you, this is perfectly safe.


Our granddaughter, Talula loves chickens! Unfortunately, the chickens met a weasel, and they are in Heaven now, but stay tuned to see summer photos of the new flock!


Plum blossoms...Pam made an excellent plum wine last year, and hopes to do so again this year. A winemaker suggested that she enter her plum wine into a contest, because it is really extraordinary!


More building...putting in the insulation.


In this shot, you can see where the Lab will be, and you can see the Loft up above.


Here, you can see little Talula stepping out of the Tasting Room door onto where the Patio will be.


This is what the vineyard looks like on a sunny April day.


And this is what it looks like on a gorgeous day in May. You can see that there are little buds and leaves on the vines, and the wildflowers make it all look so beautiful.


More progress on the Patio. You see Joey and Talula in the background. You can also see how they built the "eyebrow" of the Patio so that there are half wine barrels around the beams. We've planted grape vines in the barrels that we hope will grow up and wrap around the beams.



This is an area where we ripped out grape vines. This year, we have our vegetable garden here.


What you see here is a trailer being pulled out. This was formerly known as the "Cook Shack." There's a deck built around it, and this is where everyone gathers for meals. Well, with the Tasting Room opening soon, we wanted to have a classier place to let customers and friends sip wine and gaze at the beautiful Umpqua River, so stay tuned for photos of the new Lodge!





And it looks like the little sweetheart chickens (may they rest in peace) left a little nest under the trailer!


Coming this summer:

1. We will begin selling our 2003 Merlot! Stay tuned for info on how to order, or email Mike at mfreed@tpm-hawaii.com or call at (808) 497-3861 if you want to reserve a case!

2. We will soon have a new website (but our blog will still be here!) that will give you all the details on how to order wine and when our Tasting Room will be open.

3. We will post photos of the progress on all of our projects, including the Barn, the Tasting Room, and the Lodge.

Have a great summer!