by whit on September 8, 2011
I was looking through my good old iPhoto and came across these pictures from the last time I was in Liguria. Cinque Terre to be exact. I don’t think I ever posted these pics or talked about the vineyards that I kind of accidentally walked through, so better late than never!
That contraption right there is how some people transport grapes down the steep as crap slopes of coastal Liguria. It’s like a mini monorail. During harvest, grapes are loaded up in crates and brought back down to the trail. Then taken to the nearest road…and then the winery. It’s a process.
Is it just me or wouldn’t it be a good idea to put a seat belt on that chair? Oh god, I sound like my mother.
Not everyone/every grape is so lucky as to get to take a trip on one of these itty bitty trains. Most of the slopes are so steep everything has to be done by hand. Tough work for sure, but not bad when this is the view to your left and to your right…
And the wine sure is worth all that effort! Thank you so much, you strong and brave harvesting souls who enable us to drink it.
I’ve linked to it a gazillion times, but in case you missed my love letter to Liguria, here it is again! It’s one of my favorite places on Earth to take photos. The inspiration is endless.
by whit on September 20, 2010
A little over a year and 125 blog posts ago, I started Brunellos Have More Fun. Also around this time, I was settling into my cozy digs at Casa De Conciliis, working my very first harvest and beginning what would be the most marvelous adventure I’ve ever had. I’m feeling a bit nostalgic. So, I’ve decided to get retrospective and share some of my very favorite photographs from that magical time (and the posts that they accompanied). I mean, can you get better photography inspiration/subject matter than Italia??
Sit back, grab a glass of vino and enjoy.
It’s Raining Pasta- Sunday morning with a family in the kitchen. Happiness.
Mezzogiorno - aka Lunch at The Winery.
Ode to Moscato di Terracina- in Lazio with Andrea Pandolfo in some of the most beautiful vineyards I’ve ever seen.
The Secret Vineyard- my secret vineyard.
True Wines and The Ultimate Cellar- A day with Giampiero Bea at Paolo Bea in Montefalco.
The Lion Count & The Forgotten Varietals of Emilia-Romagna- Leone Conte, a wild Vespa ride & two people in love.
An Attic Full of Acid Never Tasted So Good- a peek into the Medici acetaia.
Liguria: A Love Letter in Photos- a stroll down the sea cliffs of the Cinque Terre.
A Lot of Olives Equals Not A Lot of Oil- working the olive harvest in Tuscany with some donkeys and WWII parachutes.
Looking back over all these words and photos and memories, my heart aches (more than) a little. The people I have been so lucky to know, the laughs and stories shared, the glasses clinked and bread broken, the utterly breathtaking landscapes I have been able to experience…
If I never get back to Italy ever again, these could fill me with happiness for a lifetime.
by whit on November 3, 2009
Liguria is the region of Italy hugging the northwestern coast. It is full of high cliffs, colorful houses lazily stuck in hillsides, basil pesto, the salty deep blue sea, warm focaccia and a grape called vermentino. And sunsets to rival any in the world. Pack your bags.
xoxo,
Brunello Girl
