Kate's Blog
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
June 20, 2024 | Kate Dubost
Less is More
As we move into the busy season of summer and Curt's retirement from Paso Schools, there is a thought that keeps running through my head. Less is More.
We are looking to simplify our lives and enjoy the ranch, winery, and our customers more. Curt now has a classic Airstream trailer on top of the hill for Less time in town and More time at the ranch. Also, Less city lights and More stunning views.
The rains in spring brought weeds galore. The tractors are up and running and the vineyard is looking good, full of juvenile fruit. Less weeds - More productive vines.
The preparation for bottling included a trip from Texas by Zack to put together the final blends. Then a retun for bottling. We bottled 12 different wines and now the winery is "busting out all over" with new wines. Less barrels and LOTS More bottles.
We can't wait to share them with you!
Kate
Jun 20, 2024 at 12:42 PM
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Comments (1)May 22, 2024 | Kate Dubost
Growth in the Vineyard
May at Dubost is a month filled with growth in the vineyard, maintenance of wines in barrel in preparation for bottling, and one of my favorite things, festivals, and events. It is a month full of hard, rewarding work. It is also the month we stop to honor Mothers and Veterans.
The job of mothering is not unlike the job we have with all that is in our care here at the vineyard and winery. Caring for vines, controlling the weeds, seeding the garden, and protecting chickens against predators - these are all our daily battles and joys. A budding vine, a new wine, the first seedlings, a fresh egg. Always cause for celebration, the beginning of vigilance and the fight to keep everyone and everything safely protected and thriving.
While we fight the small fights in the vineyard and winery let’s not forget the big fights and sacrifices made by our veterans. This month we remember and honor those who fought for our freedom, our democracy, and our way of life - our veterans.
My father was stationed in Europe during World War II. He was with the Army Corp of Engineers who set up encampments ahead of the troop’s arrival. He was one of the lucky ones. He returned to Oklahoma to start a career as an engineer, marry, and raise a family, his next big challenge with five of us to nurture and protect.
So here is to all mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, and godparents who serve or have served our country and continue to nurture the lives of their families! And maybe even a vine, a garden, and a chicken or two!
With love and appreciation,
Kate Dubost
March 18, 2024 | Kate Dubost
It's not easy being small.
I am an unapologetic adult Muppets fan. As a math educator I loved The Count. Lucas and I danced our mother/son dance at his wedding to Kermit the Frog's "Rainbow Connection". But it is a variation of Kermit's ballad, “Its not Easy Being Green” that keeps popping into my head these days. More and more as a small winery owner, it seems I mutter under my breath , “its not easy being small”.
Kermit's lament -
“And people tend to pass you over
Cause you’re not standing out
Like flashy sparkles in the water
Or stars in the sky.”
Those words made me think about what being small really meant. We produce under 2000 cases a year. Many wineries produce more than that of any one wine. We have one full time employee, several part time employees, one consulting winemaker. We have a dirt road, sometimes weeds growing where we don’t want them, a vineyard that always wants more attention, feral cats, wild hogs, mountain lions and chickens just to name a few of what can be found at Dubost.
What we, also, DO have is some of the best wine in Paso Robles, thanks to Zachary’s hard work. Small lot hand crafted with love and just back breaking labor.
We are on property that the Dubost family has owned since 1882. I think we must be the OLDEST continuously family owned property with a family owned winery in Paso Robles. We are small but mighty. We have over 300 club members. Many have been with us since the first shipment in 2007. Many others have been with us for years and years, many just a short time or recently new to our wine club.
So I say to myself - That is standing out!
We do have "flashy sparkles" maybe just a different kind of flashy.
And as for the stars.....well, we have those too. Our family, our history, our employees, our members and if there is any furthher doubt about stars we just look up at the night sky.
We are small and " it'll do fine. It's beautiful, and I think it's what I want to be". Thanks, Kermit, for those words of encouragement.
Please continue to support small family wineries. They are our neighbors and our friends. It isn’t easy being small, but with customers and members like you, it sure is a whole lot easier.
With love and appreciation,
Kate Dubost
COUNTRY CLUB
November 23, 2023 | Kate Dubost
Thankful - Count our Blessings
"Grace"
On Thanksgiving, someone always says grace. Regardless of what our every day meal ritual may be it seems essential to this holiday. It is for the pause, the quiet thanks for love and for our blessings, before the shoveling begins. We acknowledge that this food and wine didn't just magically appear: someone grew it, ground it, bought it, baked it, made it, bottled it.
We are thankful for the plentiful food, our time on the couch digesting it, and the day spent basking in doing nothing else. We savor these moments and our opportunity to work and play together. We are thankful that winegrowing has brought the additional blessing of friends twenty fold.
We are aware of Someone's great and abiding generosity to our dear and motley group of family and friends. We say thank you and pray to be mindful to the needs of others. Whatever its form we acknowledge our blessings in a holy moment of gratitude. That is "grace" and we are filled with it.
We wish you and yours the happiest of Thanksgivings!
From all of us at Dubost
Inspired by:
Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential Prayers
Anne Lamott