Left Brooklyn 6 AM, B's car still on the block. Bagel Hole not open yet - remember that for next year.
MEK had emailed Friday night asking that we call when we got to Riverhead. Made very good time to Riverhead (exit 73 to Rt 58), pulled off for coffee, called B&P who were then at exit 67 or so. Waited there for the to catch up and called MEK - all go.
Found 755 North Rd without a hassle. Pulled in, MEK was there with a couple of hands. Chatted for a while, he gave us his history. Pulled the cars to the barn. Our grapes & 2 other homies grapes were on pallets in collectors bins. MEK, a helper, and the three of us transferred the grapes to bags and into B's minivan (the rear of which was showing the weight - might want to check tire pressure, too, next time).
Stopped briefly in Greenport for coffee - Aldo's was not open and the place we did stop was disappointing, but la. The back to BKLYN, staying on the expressway all the way. Much more crowded than going out but we still made very good time - anyone remember? 2.5 hrs?
Laura joined us. Crushed Laura & B's grapes. Went very nicely. A pleasure to have the grapes at ambient temperature rather than refrigerated. Then lunch from here & Bar Toto and a bottle out the 2007 Barbera.
Crushed the remaining grapes. Did much, much more destemming than in the past - enough to make us want to rent a destemmer next year. B&L pitched yeast while we destemmed the remaining barrels. All pitched by 4-something. All clean by 5. Everyone's back sore.
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