(Another) Year in the Vineyard, Week #11 with Wes Hagen, Clos Pepe

  Year in the Vineyard Wine Blog, Week #11 By Wes Hagen, VM/WM Clos Pepe May 20-27, 2010 (Don’t forget to scroll over the pics for commentary) My trip to Stevenson, Washington was great.  I thoroughly enjoyed all the home winemakers I met, especially those with the guts and lack of sanity it takes to grow their own fruit in their backyards.  Without your support, I wouldn’t have such a great job here at WineMaker Magazine, and I wouldn’t have received a free admission to the WineMaker Conference and a cushy room at the spectacular Skamania Lodge.  Although I was a bit disappointed that there was no Ska music (remember the Specials, the Untouchables or HepCat?), the views were gorgeous.  While most folks were a bit put off by the rain, I love the rain (living in such a dry area), and was stoked to get a week off from the dry winds and the horrible Spring allergies we’re all dealing with here in Santa Barbara County right now. The Friday night tasting at the Conference was a highlight for