autumn, along with approximately four times as many cases of their Three Oaks reds aged in French Oak barrels. Taste testing has become one of their favorite parts of the process. “Carol is definitely the official palate for our wines,” Bill says. “But we all enjoy tasting the different wines and deciding which varieties to bottle.” The Parkers kicked around the idea of selling their wines locally, says Bill. But ultimately they decided the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze. “We didn’t get into winemaking to make money from it,” he says. Carol agrees. “For us, it’s more about gathering our friends and family,” she observes. “Drinking wine and making memories. It’s really been a wonderful thing for our family.” But it’s not for every family. The Parkers estimate that it would take about a half-acre of land and require between $10,000 and $20,000 to get a start-up home winery up and running. Then there are the countless hours of work that come along with it, not to mention the outside forces that can make it even more challenging. “We’ve dealt with everything from insects and animal pressure to outside climate conditions,” Parker says. “Every year presents a different challenge.” This year’s bounty looks promising, however, as Monterey County experienced one of the rainiest seasons it’s had in years. Growers are hopeful for a memorable vintage when they begin to harvest this fall. “We are definitely noticing the impacts of the rainy season,” Parker says. “The grapes are looking big and healthy, but we’ll see how things end up come fall.” WWW.MONTEREYCOUNTYWEEKLY.COM 31 Serving the industry with quality and service since 1900 Salinas Concrete & Building Materials 831.775.3500 | 400 Work St Monterey Peninsula Concrete & Building Materials 831.392.3700 | 1755 Del Monte Blvd 1986 2022 246 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove I 831-372-6250 www.mumsfurniture.com Hours: Mon - Sat 10am - 5:30pm I Closed Sundays Voted Best Furniture Store in Monterey for Over10years! 1986 2022 246 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove I 831-372-6250 www.mumsfurniture.com Hours: Mon - Sat 10am - 5:30pm I Closed Sundays Voted Best Furniture Store in Monterey for Over10years! 1986 2022 246 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove I 831-372-6250 www.mumsfurniture.com Hours: Mon - Sat 10am - 5:30pm I Closed Sundays Voted Best Furniture Store in Monterey for Over10years! 1986 2022 246 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove I 831-372-6250 www.mumsfurniture.com Hours: Mon - Sat 10am - 5:30pm I Closed Sundays Voted Best Furniture Store in Monterey for Over10years! 1986 2022 2 Hou Voted Best Fu 1986 2022 246 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove I 831-372-6250 www.mumsfurniture.com Hours: Mon - Sat 10am - 5:30pm I Closed Sundays Voted Best Furniture Store in Monterey for Over10years! 1986 2022 24 Hour Voted Best Fur MumsPlace_1-3s_HAVEN23_DG.indd 1 8/2/23 1:24 PM 31_haven23.indd 1 8/3/23 2:25 PM
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