Oct. 29, 2008: Olive harvest

This morning we are picking the olives. Seems like it will be a good year for olive oil as well: there are many and they reached a good level of maturation, thanks to the mild fall.
At this point you would think that I am done here at Resta, but you are wrong, because with Claudio we decided to try to grow saffron, and it is usually picked in october, before noon - don't know why, will tell you when I find out!

We have to pick the flowers very carefully, they are delicate, and take off the inner part, sort of dark orange looking, and leave it to dry for few days: then I can place it in a glass container and it's ready to be used.

I am adding a picture here on top, they are so beatiful, am already dreaming of a risotto alla milanese...

Another important issue is that the day before yesterday there has been a votation at the Brunello's Consortium, to decide if to change the way of making the wine, if to add other grapes or not, and I am very pleased to tell you that the traditional "party" won, so Brunello can only be made with 100% sangiovese grosso. Am very pleased for Altesino, as you know this is the line of Claudio and of many other producers.

Am working right now with joy on the presentation of the italian edition of the book of my friend Beth Elon.
It will be held in Buonconvento, on November 13th. Am looking forward it, having been part of the project since the beginning.

All for now, am creating a new post, where you may write something, as a comment. Sometimes I have contacts from people that don't know me, and it could help them to figure out if they should trust me or not!

My very best to all,

Anna Lisa

Fall and others....

This is how my vineyard looks like now, I just took this picture. The wine just finished the fermentation, and I am very pleased with it.
The great news is that the Martino 06 is completely sold out - I shipped the last 12 bottles yesterday.
Now we have to wait for the 07: after 14 months in french barrels seems like it is almost ready. Still, I will want to have it rest in the bottle for few months before I start to sell it.
Next week we pick the olives, then there will be the new olive oil, which is always a great feast around here: what's better than a bruschetta with bread grilled on the fire...fire which I would love to start, the problem is that it is still very hot here!

Please look at some pictures of people coming to taste here at Resta.
I just love this project, soon my book will be finished...

I don't know how to thank you enough for your...I don't even know how to call it!

I feel like I've built a small comunity of Resta and Martino lovers.

A presto my dears...

HARVEST!!!!

On Tuesday the 30st of September we picked the grapes, for a total of 262 orange boxes. The grape was a lot, and very healthy. The weather was warm and sunny, so we didn't have any problem at all. I will let you know how the fermentation goes on.

I am very happy about it. Now I can relax for a while...

Have still a couple of tours coming, and another dinner to organize with Lynn here at Resta next Sunday. Otherwise the season is slowly becoming quieter.

Am organizing a yoga day here at Resta next Monday, and am looking forward.

As some of you know, I have a little flat in Florence, that will be free starting from November. If someone goes to Florence and needs a place to stay, please let me know. Now I am posting another picture, if you want to see a couple more, go to the link on the right of this one.

Next will be the olive oil.

A presto!