Notaviva Vineyards Blog

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June 12, 2005

Deer Fence Is Done!!!!!!!!!!!!

The deer fence is done. Finished. Completed.

You know at times over the past few months I never thought I'd get to say that. What a ridiculous endeavor. I definitely underestimated the level of effort required to tackle such a project.

For anyone considering getting into the vineyard business on a small-scale like us, allow me to offer this advice. Pay someone to build you a deer fence. Don't try it. If you don't have the money but want to plant this year - don't. Wait a year and save more money. Sell your car and buy a skateboard - whatever it takes.

That said, there is a certain consolation (and definite sense of fulfillment) that comes from knowing you went completely overboard and built something you had no business attempting. It will be a little while before I can tally up the total, but I will post the complete materials list with costs - recall the purpose of this blog is to contribute to the knowledge base of the Virginia wine industry (it's not just a forum for my whining).

So here's a few more pictures from the final installation day:

Rolling out the second-to-last section
Hammering in the VERY LAST STAKE!!!

Once the last stake was in all I had to was cut the excess netting and that was that. And I know you dig my Mexican Straw Hat (mad in China no less...) Thanks for following along on this saga. I'm sure there will be some more deer fence blog entries in the future as the little bastards try to get in - probably need a few repairs here and there - but the worst is over. Thanks again to everyone who helped out with post delivery and installation. That was such a HUGE help - you guys kicked ass and we are very thankful.

Now we can focus on our vines, the real reason we got into this mess in the first place!

To Shannon - Happy Anniversary Baby! A whole year passed by in the blink of an eye. Looking back through this blog just makes my head spin thinking about all we've accomplished this year. And looking ahead I just can't wait to snuggle our little boy - just a few more weeks! Thank you for all your love and support during the past few months. We sacrificed a lot of weekends together to build this dream, but it is really happening, and I'm so proud of everything we've done. I love you.

One year ago - lighting the unity candle

Posted by Stephen at June 12, 2005 9:33 PM