a letter from Phyllis...
(Phyllis Meagher is the founder, majority owner, and Manager of Meramec Vineyards.)

Here's the scoop.  There's a new guy in town.  A new steward of the land.

As you know, I am on the "moving on to retirement" path.  To this end, we have had the whole business of Meramec Vineyards - the winery as well as the vineyard up for sale. I am happy to report that Saturday I took a big step down that retirement path when we closed on the vineyard portion of Meramec Vineyards and turned it over to Chris Wright to carry on the growing tradition. 

Let's backtrack here a moment.  There's a lot balls in the air involved in running a small boutique winery - especially as I've been doing it from Vineyard to the Bottle and beyond... direct to you the imbiber and enjoy-er of the wine - this work of human hands - all the while providing a destination and beautiful setting in which to enjoy the product of this "grape" life.

It made sense to make the sale of Meramec Vineyards an a la carte offering.  Keep the vineyard growing ball separate.  Find that person who is drawn to the growing side.  Someone who would be looking for beautiful acres of Missouri and an entry point into the grape and wine world.  We could then focus on finding the "someone/s" to keep all those other balls in the air.  Wine making and wine selling.  The entertainment side of Meramec Vineyards:  good food, good wine, good times.  All that you have come to enjoy and associate with Meramec Vineyards.

Step one taken.  I'm happy to introduce you to Chris Wright.  Make that Commander Wright of the U.S. Navy - Retired.  He completed his Active Duty one year ago (last posting Guam) and now is in the Navy Reserve with one weekend a month devoted to Reserve Duty.  He is settled in the St. Louis area.   Chris has strong ties to St. Louis as he did a lot of his schooling there and that's where he has his day job at the John Cochran Veterans' Hospital.

Next Step.  We found one Wright.  We need to find another "right" to take over the winery part.  Let me continue on that retirement path.  So if you know anyone who might fit this bill, tell them to contact us and start the conversation and exploration of owning and running a winery. 

Meanwhile things are going along same as usual.  Grapes in the vineyard.  Wine at the winery. Same Bistro.  Retirement for me in the future.
Who Is This Guy?
 
In many ways I see myself here.  Some of you may remember a girl from Chicago who knew nothing about grapes except the enjoyment of drinking wine.  Someone fascinated with learning all about the grapes.  Someone who enjoys wine and wants to enter this world.  Chris is ready to try his hand and learn everything he can.  Chris (with Kim - who is 100% with him on this endeavor) wants to keep the tradition going.  He is all in.

When they were looking at the vineyard property, I pointed out where the Harvest Moon Festival was held each year.  He said, "You can still have it here."  I pointed out where the Missouri S & T Engineers Without Borders 5K finish line approach came down the vineyard row.  He said, "Keep that going."

Many times he has said, "I want to keep the traditions going." 

Of course, that includes growing the grapes.  He is delighted and enthusiastic about learning.  After we closed we came out to the vineyard and looked at all the equipment now under his command.  I introduced him to Bob DeWitt, my neighbor and Meramec Vineyards retired Vineyard Manager.  It was a beautiful warm day (in February!) and it seemed like a good idea to start a vineyard lesson.   Bob is a great teacher.   So we all moved to the vines.  The mentoring began. 

pruning lession
Kim Cowgill watching Chris and Bob - the first pruning lesson. 


Here's Chris going solo - first time:  https://youtu.be/1snHVhyzY_Q

Chris and Kim continued in the vineyard all afternoon.  They were back out in the vineyard on Sunday.

They came into the winery later that afternoon and reported that they had finished pruning the Nortons.  I was puzzled.  "Do you mean you finished the row of Niagara you started on?"  "No", was the reply, "the Nortons."  "What?" "The Nortons. You know, the rows to the east."  "All two acres?" "Yes". 

I was amazed.  I said I would have to check that out.  Which I did this morning.  Chris and Kim reported accurately.  Two acres of Norton were pruned and a good job I might add.
 
When I looked out at the view from my kitchen window this morning, I saw the vineyard. The land looked the same even though those adjacent 30 acres no longer are "mine". The first Americans, the Indians, didn't believe we "owned" the land.  The land just was and we humans coexist with it.  I always considered myself just one in a line of those who tread on this earth. Now, the next.

I think with Chris and Kim we have good new stewards.  The vineyard is in good hands.
I know I have new good neighbors. 

One of the best compliments I ever received was from a Rosati grapegrower.  This was a couple years after I relocated to St. James.  He said, "It was a good day, Phyllis Meagher, the day you moved here." 

Saturday was a good day. 

P.S. If you have any messages for "the new guy" send them to me and I'll pass them on.
mervine@fidnet.com


Meramec Vineyards  OPEN DAILY   10-5 (Sunday from Noon)  573-265-7847
Bistro serving lunch daily until 3 p.m.
mervine@fidnet.com  www.meramecvineyards.com