Puffing Up

Notes from the vineyard

Now they’re starting to look like something. Almost grown. A little sun, a little water, some gentle vineyard micromanaging—pulling weeds, suckering, whispering sweet nothings. Not that they asked for any of it.

They’re just hanging here, quietly swelling, waiting for their next big transformation. Soon they’ll trade green for blush as anthocyanins start doing their thing. Like adolescence, but for grapes.

They’ve already made it through deer season (barely). And honestly? They look proud. Little chests puffed, still green as peas. But don’t let the innocence fool you. These berries are on their way to becoming something so much more.