Just Sip It

01/19/2025

That's right - all those fun flavors are a result of the terroir - the soil, climate, and environment give the wine its distinct character; oak barrels vs stainless steel or other vessels have different effects as well, but most of the flavor comes from that beautiful grape 🍇🍷

08/15/2024

The blue cave ❤️ Michelle Marie Ivicak Tom Ivicak

08/14/2024

08/13/2024

It’s a rough life 🤷‍♀️

08/13/2024

This place was ready for me in Mljet 🤷‍♀️

08/09/2024

Especially when we are at the airport! ⁠
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08/08/2024

Soil is an epically important piece of the puzzle when it comes to growing grapes! It can affect the growth rate, maturation, flavor, and quality, among other things. There are many types of soil, and each provides unique qualities, from providing additional heat in cool evenings to the proper amount of drainage. We'll explore more soil...over multiple posts later on.

08/06/2024

When discussing grape climates, latitude is an important puzzle piece. Typically, grapes are located between 30 and 50 degrees in the northern or southern hemisphere. If the temps are too cool, the grapes don't get ripe enough; if temps are too warm, grapes will over-ripen. There are definitely exceptions to the rule, so on occasion, you may see grapes growing outside of these latitudes.

08/05/2024

Wind is a tricky element in the vineyard. A moderate amount of wind is great, especially when it helps to cool down the vineyard during hotter months. It can help prevent humidity, mildew, and mold. While spring winds can definitely cause damage to the vineyard, wind is often an underappreciated element of the terroir in the vineyard.

08/03/2024

Another factor that influences the grape climate includes bodies of water. A mass of water can decrease the temperature variations of the area, bring humidity and reflect the sun to improve exposure.

08/02/2024

Elevation plays several important roles when growing grapes. Temps cool as the altitude rises, the difference between day and night temps increases, and solar radiation is higher (for every 1,000', UV rays increase 10-12%, forcing fruit to develop thicker skins, leading to more color and tannin!)

08/01/2024

Personally, I add the juice for the looks...I just need a hint of that juice color!