Hey !

Well, they are finally giving me a chance to speak!  Lots of activity around here.  For me personally, I just got a new set of shoes—Dee says I get more shoes than she does!

Anyway, back to the ranch—bud break is starting—that means Richard and Tom will get less sleep if we have a frost.  Those little buds are very sensitive.  The pruning is finished. What a relief!!  Tom and his sister-in-law Sonia participated in a pruning contest-they didn’t win, but got their picture in the Press Democrat (our local Santa Rosa paper) so they are now celebrities.

Have had lots of activity in the winery.   Entered our wine in the San Francisco Wine Chronicle International Wine Judging Competition and won a Gold Medal on the Sauvignon Blanc-2006.    Winter Wineland happened—to see a video log onto http://www.discoverwinecountry.tv/2008/01/25/rued-winery/.  Then we had barrel tasting. Two weekends and barrels of fun!  We offered futures on the 2006 Zinfandel and 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Well I’ll sign off for now.  You know I can’t write my name, so always look for my horseshoes. You’ll know the message is from me.