|
Early settlers in northwest Missouri discovered the unique soils grew great tobacco, hemp, and orchards. Today most of the land is used for corn and soybeans but the area around Weston, Missouri is home to several commercial vineyards.
Chris has about 70 vines in his personal care, yielding Norton, Chambourcin, Vignoles, Catawba, with Cabernet Franc and Mourvedre added in 2019. “Mourvedre shines alongside classic barbecue, especially smoke-kissed ribs or pulled pork shoulder,” according to Brian Freedman at Food and Wine - that seems perfect for a Kansas City area bottle of wine! And lest I muddle up Chris’ wine grapes and wine-making successes, I will let you talk to Chris himself about the grapes and their finished products.
Chris spends about an hour each evening during the growing season in the vineyard. “There’s a nice bit of light…” he says about the end of the day when he cares for the vines, sometimes removing Japanese beetles by hand. That might sound like work, but Chris takes a different perspective; he sees “a nice, peaceful evening” doing something he loves.
Connecting to nature is at the forefront of Chris’ life philosophy. When I first knew Chris, he was racing a bike on trails that seemed daunting to me. I followed along on social media as one bike trip took him to Belgium in 2017. Chris is participating in less racing events these days, but not the biking. He still rides six to 10 hours per week, with several evenings on his own, joining a group on Thursdays and Saturday organized rides. He still accomplished 4,000 miles in 2023 on his bike!
Biking and quiet reflective time in his vineyard are not the only ways Chris prioritizes time to refill his cup in the natural world. He has always loved the mountains, even serving as a guide in the Sante De Cristo Mountains of Colorado in his younger days. “Spending time in the back country,” at least once per year is still a “high point,” both figuratively and literally in Chris’ life.
So, when he heard about a class from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy that practices a concept called “Forest Bathing,” Chris wanted to know more. He signed up for the class. “There were little things I learned to help me center and appreciate nature. Offering a richer connection” to the natural world, he said about taking the course.
Chris is so good at finding joy in the "in between" moments of daily life. He purposely finds enrichment, contentment and peace while working in an industry that seems to thrive on stress. That's a lesson w all could learn.
Chris showed the MACCEA membership how this all fits together when he decided to take his bike across the complete Missouri Katy Trail to attend the annual conference in St. Charles in 2021. With help from Adkins Printing in Clinton, Chris peddled off in an easterly direction while Adkins brought his supplies along in the van to the conference venue. It took 3 days to complete the ride with stops in New Franklin, Hermann and then St. Charles.
Following the conference, Chris once again mounted his bike, focused on the trail ahead - all that he would see, remember, and enjoy - and headed west.
| 
