Reposted: lessons from life with comments

Originally posted, May 1, 2009:

Here's what I have learned the past year and a half:

1. Think with your head and not your heart. It is your heart that gets you in trouble and sometimes even makes you fly to Tasmania and back twice!
Obviously I didn't learn from the whole Tasmania experience. I continued to let this man cheat on me and treat me like crap, then have him miss his flight from South Africa, have him rebook his flight and then have him change his mind about moving here altogether and dump me via SKYPE. What have I learned? I deserve better and to walk away no matter how hard it is.

2. Some jobs seem more glamorous then they appear.
Winemaking is fun, but it is hard work. The last thing I ever wanted to do during harvest was to drink wine. It was beer, beer, beer.

3. Having a college degree doesn't mean anything. It's the people you know and the choices you make that matter.
Simply put: It is who you know, not what you know.

4. No matter where you go and for how long, it is always nice to be back home.
Yes. Wisconsin will always be home. No matter where I live, I love going home.

5. If you think you have it bad, remember there are people out there who have it much worse.
Hey life could be worse.

6. Family and friends are the most important things on this earth. Call them, email them and hug them every chance you get.
Without my family and friends (even though you all are scattered around the world) I would not be the person I am today. Thank you for making me stick with it and all the HUGS!

7. Life is short. Make sure you do the things you dream of doing. Travel, take a day off of work just because, laugh, eat ice cream, have a glass of wine.
I try to enjoy each day for what it is. Indulge in life. Because today could be your last day.

8. I am not perfect and never want to be. Life would be boring that way.
I am not afraid to take a chance, and with chances comes failures and successes and sometimes really good stories and laughter.

9. With each door that closes a new one opens. You just have to be patient. (Something I am working on.)
Wisconsin to Philadelphia. Philadelphia to Wisconsin. Wisconsin to California. California to Wisconsin. Wisconsin to Chicago. Chicago to New Zealand. New Zealand to Australia. Australia to Wisconsin. Wisconsin to California. California to Wisconsin. Wisconsin to South Africa. South Africa to Wisconsin. Wisconsin to Tasmania. Tasmania to Chicago. Chicago to Tasmania. Tasmania to California to Oregon to Wisconsin. Wisconsin to Oregon. PHEW!

10. That I don't know what life has in store for me next. But if it is anything like the past 28 years, then bring it on. Life is an adventure. Jump on board.
Well, now I am 29 and it life keeps getting more and more interesting. I cannot wait to see what 2010 has to offer. Bring it on!

Christmas Portland Style

Dear Santa,

I think you accidentally skipped my house this year. You don't need to apologize, because I am sure that my letter got lost in the mail and you weren't sure which continent, country or even state I am even living in now. I have mailed a change of address form to the North Pole so there won't be any confusion next year.

Last night, Christmas Eve, I got to experience Peacock Lane in Portland. Sine the 1920s each house in this quaint neighborhood has been decorating for Christmas. It is a very popular Portland tradition. They even have their own website: Peacock Lane. I will post a slide show of the lights after this post.

Today I am enjoying a nice, quiet day off at home. Lots of love to all my friends and family all over the world. Merry Christmas!

Love,

Becky

P.S. I am enjoying the triple chocolate chip cookies and Pinot Noir I left out for you.

Portland Wine Examiner...Becky Rochester

I am the newest Portland Wine Examiner. View my bio and first article online at CLICK HERE. Become a subscriber and you will be notified when I post new articles. I will be writing about wine in general, wine events in the Portland area and overall wine industry topics which effect the Oregon wine industry.

Cheers,

Becky Rochester

Wisconsin Bound

Get the bratwurst and beers ready. I am coming home! I arrive in Minneapolis on Wednesday, January 6th and fly out on Monday, January 11th.

Are you a true Cheddarhead? Take the Wisconsin trivia quiz below. Answers will be posted next blog post.

1. What is the Wisconsin state motto?
2. What is the Wisconsin state animal?
3. What is the largest city in Wisconsin?
4. Green Bay is known as the "____ ____ Capital" of the world?
5. The world's largest six pack of beer is located in which Wisconsin city?
6. People from Wisconsin are called ____?
7. What is the Wisconsin state symbol of peace?
8. What is the Wisconsin state dance?
9. Name two states that border Wisconsin.
10. Wisconsin was the ___ state in the USA.

Welcome to the Family Baby Ian

Here's a picture from my family Christmas via Skype. Baby Ian's first Christmas with the Rochester's. Pictured above: Robby, Shannon, Kiki and Ian Rochester.

Corks and Caftans Wine Review: 2008 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

Check out the Corks + Caftans article featuring 2008 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir.

Link to Corks + Caftans website and article

Willamette Valley Vineyards PDXposed Video

Pictured above left: World Championship Grape Stomp Trophy

Here's a cool video of Willamette Valley Vineyards Grape Stomp by PDXposed. Plan your vacation next year and compete in the Oregon Grape Stomp championship. If you win, you get an all expense paid trip to compete in the California World Championship Grape Stomp in Santa Rosa, California and your chance to win the trophy pictured above.

Willamette Valley Vineyards Grape Stomp You Tube Video Click here

Last Weekend in Bend, Oregon

Last weekend I was lucky enough to sneak away for a snow filled weekend in Bend, Oregon. Snow tubing on Mt. Bachelor, ice skating at Seventh Mountain Resort and a brewery tour at Deschutes Brewery. Check out the pictures below.

Upper Mississippi Valley AVA

Back in Wisconsin winemaking education starts at a very young age. The best and the brightest tots are selected to represent the Midwest wine growing regions including this tot, named Jamison, from the Upper Mississippi Valley AVA. He is my nephew and a future winemaker of R Little Vineyard in Stoddard, WI.

R Little Vineyard is a small, family owned vineyard and soon to be bonded winery located in beautiful Stoddard, WI just off the Mississippi River. What is the Upper Mississippi Valley AVA? Just the world's largest wine appellation!

According to Wikepedia, "The Upper Mississippi Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area covering 29,914 square miles (77 477 square kilometers) located along the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries in northeast Iowa, northwest Illinois, southeast Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin. Upon its approval on June 22nd, 2009[1], with the effective date of July 22nd, 2009, it will becomes the world's largest designated appellation.[2] The boundaries of the AVA share the unique geographical connection of all being part of the 'driftless' Paleozoic Plateau and therefore do not have the same type of vineyard soils as wine regions that were in areas that have experienced glaciation in their history.[3]"

Check out the links for more information on this AVA.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Mississippi_Valley_AVA

http://www.bigrivermagazine.com/wineries.html

http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=65891&htitle=TTB+Approves+Largest+American+Viticultural+Area

http://www.rlittlevineyard.com/

Cheers.

My New Couch!

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is a smart, funny, attractive, non-cheating, wine drinking, athletic, non-smoking, cuddly, not afraid of commitment, adventure seeking, good-hearted man. Is that too much to ask? Apparently these days it is. It seems like the biggest challenge in my life is dating. I have a good career, great family, awesome friends but am lacking on the relationship side.

Santa...out of all my friends, I didn't think I would be one of the last to get married. But there are just a few of us left. Maybe it is because I never catch the bouquet at the wedding? Or maybe I am too picky? Nah! Or maybe I just spend too much time with the wrong men? Ding. Ding. Ding.

Who knows. For now I am going to enjoy some me time. The winter weather has magically appeared. It is the perfect excuse to bunker down and do some reading and writing. Oh...and maybe some arithmetic, since I am going to start my enology class at DMACC in January. Right Paul? I am still waiting to hear from you.

I am pretty sure I am on the nice list, but if I am on the naughty list...I didn't do it! I can still hope that when I wake up Christmas morning, you will have delivered my present. Oh...and can you please wrap him with a bow?

Sincerely,

Becky Rochester

P.S. There will be cookies and Pinot Noir!

Give N' Gobble 10K Results

Gobble Gobble! The results are in.

Give n ' Gobble 10K 11/26/09 6.2 miles
Rebecca Rochester 29 F Sherwood
00:50:52 finishing time
00:08:12 minute miles
85th overall out of 274 runners
21st female finisher out of 140
6th in age 25-29 years old

Then I even found a race where I finished 1st in my age group. WOW! I never thought that would happen.

Run for the Roses 5K 06/07/09 3.1 miles
Rebecca Rochester 28 F Sherwood
00:22:37
00:07:18
11th overall out of 101 runners
4th overall female finisher out of 63
1st in age 25-29 years old

Giving Thanks

I am thankful for a lot of things, but I am most thankful for my memories.

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. -From the television show The Wonder Years

I don't own a lot of things, but I own my memories. They are funny, they are sad and they are unique to me. There are so many different types of memories: childhood, college, family, friends and traveling to name a few.

Recently my mother had a get together with my aunts, uncles and grandma. The purpose of the get together was to share memories that they had with my grandma. From what I heard the day was filled with pictures, slide shows and stories. So you see, memories play an important part of how we live our lives. They shape who we are and what we become.

I am thankful for each and every opportunity I have had. The memories I have created thus far are amazing. I am lucky.

What are you thankful for? Having a job, a family, a house over your head, pumpkin pie, health? I know I am thankful for having such an understanding and most definitely one-of-a-kind family. I am thankful for being in Oregon and for having a job. I am thankful for all the HUGS I received earlier this year. I am looking forward to creating Oregonian memories.

Tomorrow at 9 AM I am running the Give N Gobble 10K Race in Sherwood. I am looking forward to a day off of work, good food and good weather (please don't rain).

Gobble! Gobble!

Becky

Willamette Valley Vineyards Wine Center Grand Opening

This weekend the new Willamette Valley Vineyards Wine Center opened in McMinnville. I was there to witness the excitement! Below I have included a few articles about the Wine Center Grand Opening. It has been amazing watching the transformation of the space, hiring and training of the staff and the reaction of the guests and media. Cheers to everyone who helped get the Wine Center up and running.

The Oregonian
Vineyards open new wine center Saturday in McMinnville
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/11/vineyards_open_new_wine_center.html


Business Wire
Leading Pinot Noir Producer Launches Willamette Valley Vineyards Wine Center
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/email/headlines/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&div=939633621&newsId=20091116006239


Willamette Valley Vineyards Blog
http://willamettevalleyvineyards.blogspot.com/


Oregon WinePress
Wine Center Opening in Mac
http://www.oregonwinepress.com/index.php?pr=1109_06_WVV

A Very "Hoppy" Weekend on the Coast

A little work and a little play makes the weekend fly away. I had a very "hoppy" weekend with Gavin in Cannon Beach. Friday and Saturday night I poured wine for guests of Tolavana Inn in Cannon Beach, Oregon. I love doing events! It is my opportunity to get people excited about wine and to educate them. I had the best time and it allowed me to become more familiar with WVV wines and how people respond to them.

The rest of the weekend I spent eating my first cup of Mo's famous clam chowder; drinking Duck Dive IPA and Rudy Red from Bill's Tavern & Brewhouse; hiking, playing rock and stick baseball and riding the make believe bull in Ecola State Park; late night strolls on the beach; enjoying delicious last minute Thai food that cost as much as the corkage was going to be at another local restaurant; another brewery visit and lunch in Pacific City at Pelican Pub and Brewery and ending the weekend with winetasting at Ponzi Wine Bar. Oh yeah and I almost forgot the part where I kicked Gavin's butt at cards.

After a lot of creative thinking, I have finally named my Xterra. It's full name is "Hoppy the White Rabbit" "Hops" for short (yes after beer making). Long story. But the name fits!

It's back to work tomorrow. Goodnight!

Risk Taker

Yep. That's me on a bridge, and no I am not going to jump. I am smiling. See that BIG grin on my face? I feel alive again. Thanks Jerry and Meg!

A few inspiring quotes I am living by right now:

Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.--Unknown Author

I don't want to come to the end of my life and find that I have just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.--Diane Ackerman

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

Thanks for coming out to visit me. It was great experiencing the carts in Portland with you, eating at my favorite restaurant Press in Dundee over a bottle of Oregon Sauvignon Blanc, hiking 6 miles at Silver Falls State Park and showing you where I work.

For some reason, it was really hard this time to say goodbye at the airport. I know how much you miss me, and I know you hope I meet a good Midwestern man and I move back home. Trust me, it is just as hard for me to live far away from my family and close friends. I miss birthdays, weddings, holidays and I miss seeing all my beautiful niece and nephews growing up.

I don't know what the future will bring or where I may end up next. You know me...always looking for something new and exciting. What I do know is that I love you. Thank you for always being there when the world crashes around me. One of these days, my luck will change and I know I will look back at all of this and thank my lucky stars. For now, I just take it one day at a time. I enjoy each day and look forward to what it brings, the good, the bad and the just okay.
As Jim said today, "We can only control one thing: our attitude." Wise words to live by.

Love your daughter,
Becky

Harvest then to harvest now

Last year at this time I had just finished harvest in Santa Rosa, California. It was my favorite harvest job to date. I miss the 18 hour days working in the vineyard and winery. There is something magical about harvest. It is hard work both physically and mentally, but it sure beats sitting in front of a computer all day! Sometimes I wondered why I did it. But now that I am not doing it, I know why.
The closest I have gotten to the vineyard this year was when I took the Retail Department out for a quick lesson on Brix. Here they all are in the vineyard. The fruit was picked this week.

Looking Forward to My Last First Kiss

I heard a country song this week and it hit home. The lyrics talk about looking forward to a last first kiss. I too am looking forward to my last first kiss. Makes me wonder when it will happen and with whom. My life is getting exciting again. Last night I had a great night out with a few co-workers. What was supposed to be a couple of drinks after work, turned into last call at the bar. It was worth it.

I am starting to get control on my work/life balance again. Last week I started hitting the gym and taking new challenging classes along with my runs, I am making time to spend with friends and I am even having days off. I unpacked the rest of my stuff and organized my apartment and am beginning to adjust to my new life in Oregon. Although my original plans of moving here have changed slightly, I am sure there is a rhyme and a reason for me to be here. I look forward to finding out why.

Take A Quick Look Below

Do you get it? I cannot tell you how many times I have had friends (yes you Nathan and Leah) and even strangers pull up behind me and chuckle or coworkers (Randy) laugh because they think my license plate says "300 MEN"!

Ha! All I can say is that I cannot wait until I get my Oregon plates. The good news is that I finally own my XTERRA. I don't own many things. I am a simple person. What I do own and cannot be taken away from me is all the fond memories and experiences I have had in my travels and adventures. I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world, even a couch or a microwave (Yeah. That's right Jonas.)

Homework Night 1: 2007 Pinot Noir

School ended early tonight. I was disappointed so I decided to come home and do some homework. Extra credit.

Homework Assignment #1: Comparative side-by-side tasting of two 2007 Pinot Noirs from Oregon.

Oregon 2007 Founders' Reserve Pinot Noir Willamette Valley AVA from Willamette Valley Vineyards in Turner, Oregon

Our mission in growing cool-climate varietals is to create elegant, classic Oregon wines from the Willamette Valley Appellation. As native Oregonians, we treasure our environment and use sustainable practices in growing and vinifying our winegrapes.” - Jim Bernau, Founder/President

Founder, Jim Bernau, purchased the Estate site in 1983 and cleared away the old pioneer plum orchard hidden in scotch broom and blackberry vines. He planted Pinot Noir (Pommard and Wadenswil clones), Chardonnay (Dijon and Espiguette) and Pinot Gris. In the beginning he hand watered the vines with thousands of feet of hose. To find out more about WVV go to their website: http://www.wvv.com/

Tasting Notes Willamette Valley Vineyards:

Price: $30
Alcohol: 13%
Color: lighter brick red
Nose: anise, raspberry and cherry aromas
Taste: medium bodied, slightly spicy with rounded tannins and nice finish
Overall: Willamette Valley Vineyards uses Not my favorite Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot but a great steal at $30.

Oregon 2007 Trisae Pinot Noir AVA Willamette Valley from Trisaetum Vineyards in Newberg, Oregon

Fate and Good Fortune. Most good stories have a little of both, and this story is no exception. It actually began fifty-five million years ago when Trisaetum’s estate vineyard was on the floor of the Pacific near an extensive line of submarine volcanoes and fate chose that one such volcano would erupt in that very location, spewing lava through the ocean floor, scattering glassy basalt nodules across the seascape, and leaving a unique mixture of volcanic and sedimentary soil that just so happens to be perfect for grapes. Unfortunately for grapes, the soil was at the bottom of ocean. To find out more go to their website: http://www.trisaetum.com/

Tasting Notes Trisaetum:

Price: $36

Alcohol: 13.4%

Color: deep crimson red
Nose: vanilla, oaky, spice with red fruit
Taste: this wine is smooth and full of delicate layers of flavor
Overall: Fantastic wine! Winery staff is delightful, great art gallery and very small production. This is a newer winery and one to watch.

It's Willamette Dammit!

Another great weekend spent with a great friend. My Chicago friend, Mary, came to visit me this past weekend. Our weekend kicked off with a concert at Doug Fir. If you haven't been, it is a must do in Portland. We saw the Works Progress Administration which is a band formed with members of Stevie Miller Band, Nickel Creek and Toad the Wet Sprocket. What a great show! Thanks Nick!

The entire weekend was filled with delicious food, wonderful wine, Argyle sparkling and Deschutes beer. We even managed to get some exercise in: coin toss and 12 ounce curls to work the arms at Deschutes Brewery on Friday, a modified gym workout in my living room on Saturday and a nice 6 mile hike on Sunday in Leif Erickson Park.

More pictures and stories to come!

Mr. Construction Worker

This is a good one. My commute in California was 2 miles. I left my house in Capitola each morning and made one stop at Peet's Coffee for a small double shot soy latte and a pumpkin scone. There was a shortcut only the locals knew about. This is the street I chose to take each morning. I avoided a few stoplights by doing so.

Well, then construction started. At first I was annoyed. I continued to take this route because it was what I was used to. Then I noticed him. He was driving a yellow tractor. Each morning I couldn't wait to drive by and wave hello. This went on for months. I told everyone at work about the cute construction worker who drove the yellow tractor. I even showed them as we drove by.

One day I was driving to work and noticed him standing on the street. He was directing traffic. He stopped my truck and walked up to the window. I rolled my window down and thought he was going to yell at me for driving too fast or something. He pulled a piece of paper out of his back jeans pocket and said he had seen me driving by the past few months. He told me his name and said I should give him a call sometime. Traffic was backing up and I was pretty embarrassed. I took the piece of paper and said I would call him. All of his work mates watched me as I drove by. I gave them my daily wave and went to work. I realized that in the short time we had spoken, I hadn't even told him my name. Now what? If I called him, I had to say this is the girl who drives the yellow Xterra. It took me two days to get up the courage to call him. But it was worth it.

Mr. Construction Worker is a very sweet guy and now I have a great story to share. It is memories like this that make me smile. You have one life. The decisions you make on a day-to-day basis will change the direction of your life's path. To me, it is worth taking chances like this. If you constantly play it safe you will never truly live life.

I am looking for someone who isn't afraid to take a chance. Enjoy life and live it to its fullest.

Next up...Mr. NHL.

Going Back to School

I am going back to school. This time Chemeketa Community College for wine education classes. That means I will be enrolled as a student in two states: Iowa and Oregon. Taking Pacific Wines of the Northwest in Oregon and Cold Climate Wine classes in Iowa. Cool beans! I plan to be a student for life.

Here's a list of all the schools I have attended:

Viterbo University: Bachelor's of Business Administration with Marketing
UW-LaCrosse: German classes
University Nevada Las Vegas: German study abroad program in Luenberg, Germany
Philadelphia University: Fashion Design (one semester)
Napa Valley College: (Enology and Viticulture classes)
Cabrillo College: (Spanish and Enology classes)
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC): (Cold Climate Enology and Viticulture classes)
Chemeketa Community College: (Enology and Viticulture classes)

As Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Watch out.

Grape Stomp Day #1

Oh boy. What a day. Today I put my gumboots back on. I know what you're thinking...are you doing another harvest? Nope. Not this time. It's Grape Stomp at Willamette Valley Vineyards. It is a day to celebrate the harvest and have a good time. Our guests have three minutes to stomp the grapes and the team with the most juice proceeds to the final heat at the end of the day. The winner from Saturday competes against the winner from Sunday. The team who wins gets an all expense paid trip to Napa Valley to compete in the world championship grape stomp competition. Lucky!!!

After a slow start due to rain, traffic jams caused by Ducks and Beavers (college football fans that is on the way to the games) and a car accident on I-5 temporarily shutting it down, Day #1 of Grape Stomp at Willamette Valley Vineyards was a smashing success. There were lots of great costumes (pictures coming soon). The weather cleared up and it was just about as perfect as a day as one could wish for. My final task of the evening was hosing down and cleaning up the crush pad to prepare for tomorrow's stomp. It brought me back to the days of working harvest in Tasmania and California. Gosh...I miss the cellar.

The juice flows at 19th annual grape stomp

Statesman Journal September 19, 2009

Check out this article written by Justin Much about the Willamette Valley Vineyards Grape Stomp 2009

Thanks Justin for coming out!

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090919/UPDATE/90919015/The-juice-flows-at-19th-annual-grape-stomp&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

To Date or Not to Date...That is the Question

Single life is interesting. I am definitely more aware of my surroundings...that is the cute men. It has been a long time since I have even looked. What I have realized in a short time is not to judge a book or a guy by its/his cover. Sometimes a cute guy opens his mouth and he isn't cute anymore and sometimes the geeky, semi-cute guy ends up looking cuter after a long-depth conversation and a good laugh.

I haven't quite figured out whether or not I am ready to date again. I am kind of happy being single. I don't have to plan things for anyone but myself. Where will I meet my next boyfriend? I don't know. Let's take a look back at how I have met guys in the past.

(Fade out and cut in to me sitting on the Red Line Train in Chicago)

Mr. Red Line
I was on my way to work at a wine shop in downtown Chicago. I sat down next to a guy wearing a Cub's shirt and who was proudly holding a baseball. We struck up a conversation about the Cub's and he told me the story of how he caught this ball. We had a good laugh and he told me he was from Des Moines and he worked for a company that was just featured in the top 500 companies. My stop came and I got up to leave and so did he. I could tell he wanted to ask for my number but he never did. We proceeded to walk up the stairs and then said goodbye and went our separate ways.

All day I was super mad at myself for not having the guts to ask for his number. With just a few known facts including city, fortune 500 and name (Mr. Red Line), I was able to find him with a little tool called Google. I sent him an email and he responded. He said he couldn't believe that he didn't ask me for my number. Well, luckily I am a Google expert...right Dawn? We are still in contact to this day.

It is amazing to think back of how I have met some great guys. Some have turned into forever friendships and other just a good story.

Stay tuned for Mr. Construction Worker, Mr. Batting Cage, Mr. Florida & Mr. NHL.

The World's Shortest River

The D River is a river in Lincoln City, Oregon. Proclaimed the "shortest river in the world" by the State of Oregon, it was listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's shortest river at 440 feet (130 m). This title was lost in 1989 when Guinness named the Roe River in Montana as the world's shortest. Attempting to reclaim the title, the people of Lincoln City submitted a new measurement to Guinness of about 120 feet (37 m) marked at "extreme high tide". Starting in 2006, the Guinness Book of World Records did not list a category for shortest river.

The river flows from Devils Lake, under U.S. Route 101, and into the Pacific Ocean, entirely within the city limits of Lincoln City. The river had been known by several names, including simply "the outlet", and earned its short name in a contest.

Getting Back to the Wine

I have been so busy at work that I have lost focus of what I truly love: wine. Today I am excited because I don't have to do anything. I have enjoyed sleeping in (10 whole hours of sleep), cleaned my apartment, went to the gym, got the oil changed in my truck, cooked and now I am going to read magazines and wine books. It is raining outside so I don't feel guilty about spending the day inside being lazy.

I have been living in Oregon for almost four months now. It is hard to believe how quickly time flies and the amount of changes that can occur during such a short period of time. I am still deciding if this is the right place for me. I need to give it some more time to see how everything unfolds. The hardest part is being away from my family and friends. Luckily I have a few visitors coming to visit over the next few weeks.

Harvest is about to start, and all the interns are arriving in the valley. I am jealous. I want to wear my gumboots again. I never imagined it would be so hard to let that lifestyle go. I thought I was ready to work a 9-5 job and dress up again, but there is a huge part of me that loves the excitement and hard work in the cellar. Not to mention it is a (H-E-double hockey sticks) of a lot less stressful.

Want to know how small of a world the wine industry is? Last weekend while winetasting at Domaine Drouhin I met an intern from New Zealand. H knew Gus. No last names needed. I worked with Gus at Oyster Bay. I will keep you up to date with harvest information. Right now we are just prepping the cellar so we are ready for fruit intake. The fruit is still ripening and has a little ways to go. Well, time to get back to enjoying a glass of wine while I read about wine. What a life!

HUG-A-THON Success

Thanks for all the HUGS!

Heaps of Fun

This week my friends, Leah and Nathan, who I worked with in New Zealand and Australia stopped on by for a visit. They have been traveling around the USA in their super sweet Chevy propane van for the past few months. Portland was one of their last stops before continuing onto Canada where they wil be working harvest before returning to Australia in November. It was nice to see them and spend some time at Somewhere Else Tavern, playing Photo Hunt (X Rated) and watching funny game show mishaps on You Tube.

Cheers to all my friends world wide. The wine industry is such a small world. For instance, today while winetasting, I met a guy from Australia who knew Gus from Oyster Bay. There were no last names needed because we knew it was the same Gus. I am excited for harvest to begin and am a little bit jealous I will not be wearing my gumboots this year.

Multnomah Falls

8/24/09
Multnomah Falls is a waterfall on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, located east of Troutdale, between Corbett and Dodson, along the Historic Columbia River Highway. The falls drops in two major steps, split into an upper falls of 542 feet (165 m) and a lower falls of 69 feet (21 m), with a gradual 9 foot (3 m) drop in elevation between the two, so the total height of the waterfall is conventionally given as 620 feet (189 m). Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in the State of Oregon.

My friend Steve took me here. What an amazing place!

Minn. competition showcases wines from frosty northern states, where the grapes sure do suffer -- latimes.com

Minn. competition showcases wines from frosty northern states, where the grapes sure do suffer -- latimes.com

Posted using ShareThis

Results of CATnip 5K

The results are in. This was not an official chip timed race.

REBECCA ROCHESTER wearing bib #269. Unofficial time of 22:39.5 (average of 07:17.6 minute mile).

96/351 finisher

22 / 192 female finisher

Not a personal record or anything, but better than expected.

http://jeffwhuber.com/CATnipFriday_2009/mile_results.htm

Willamette Valley Vineyards Blog

Hello! For those of you who follow my blog, you should also follow the Willamette Valley Vineyards blog. I don't write this blog but it is where I work. Here's the link: http://willamettevalleyvineyards.blogspot.com.

Also, I am featured in this blog posting: http://willamettevalleyvineyards.blogspot.com/2009/08/pouring-on-first-wednesday-at-travel.html

Check it out!

Friday Night CATnip 5K

Last night I ran in the CATnip 5K race in Sherwood. It was a fundraiser for CAT rescue and adoption. It was nice to run with a group of people. It is amazing how much faster I run when it comes down to a competition. Approximate unofficial time 22:40 (not a PR but acceptable). The creepy old guy (40-50 years old) who asked me out at the last race was there. He had the nerve to come up and ask me out again. He said he tried to call and left me a message. DUH! I didn't get a message because he had the wrong number and even so, wouldn't you think that if I didn't call back I wasn't interested? I ignored him and then when he walked away, I ran to my truck and got the heck out of there.

Training for the Portland Marathon has been hard for a few reasons: I really don't have a place to run like I did in Chicago. I have to drive 35 minutes to get to Forest Park in Portland and adding an extra hour of driving time a day just isn't possible. So I have been running at my gym on the treadmill...boring! Secondly, with the recent breakup from Mr. Wrong, I haven't been eating the healthiest or sleeping. I have made a promise to get back on track starting tomorrow. So at this point, I have decided to delay my marathon quest until next year. Right now I need to to get myself healthy and strong both physically and mentally again.

Pictures of the race coming soon.

Link to race website: http://catnipfriday5k.org/catnip/

Hug-A-Thon

I am taking it one day at a time. Work is keeping me busy and I am trying to refocus on all the positive things I have going in my life.

One of my favorite things to do each day (except Sundays) is checking the mail. Nowadays it is rare to receive anything in the mail besides bills or junk mail. So I am asking each and every one of you who reads this blog to take a few minutes out of your day to Mail Me A Hug. All you have to do is write on a piece of paper the word HUG and mail it to me. You can type it, scribble it or whatever. But I guarantee that, that little piece of paper will brighten my day.

For 44 cents, a piece of paper and an envelope help brighten up my day. To participate in the Becky Rochester Hug-A-Thon, send your HUGS to the following address:

Willamette Valley Vineyards
Att: Becky Rochester
8800 Enchanted Forest Way SE
Turner, OR 97392

HUGS
Becky

A Million Pieces

My heart is broken into a million pieces. Imagine saying goodbye to someone over three months ago and promising each other that you will meet again soon. You plan, you get excited and then one day everything comes crashing down. You realize that you will never see that person again. You never knew that that would be your last hug, your last kiss, your last goodbye.

That is what makes this so hard. I don't get a proper goodbye. I am left with so many unanswered questions because Andries will not answer his phone or send me an email to explain why he all of a sudden changed his mind. He says he loves me. That is his answer. Yet I have to sit here and pretend like I am okay. Everyone keeps asking me when he is coming and all I can say is never.

It is hard to move on, when you don't know why you are moving on.

Facts of Life

Fact: Alcohol does not cure sadness.
Fact: Too much alcohol will cause severe hangovers.

Last week I was angry. This week I am sad. After all I have been through with Andries, I still am in love with him. Can you believe that? I know a lot of people don't understand, but he is a good guy. He just is indecisive and over thinks things. He is the guy who makes me coffee in the morning. He cooks for me and makes me laugh. He encourages me to be a better person and not to give up when things get tough. He is my best friend. I wanted to point out some good things about Andries since there are so many and I never got the chance to explain what I liked about him.

I pray (yes I said pray) that somehow I will get through this.

It's a Juicy One...(Grapes Not Included)

I got dumped on SKYPE. Yep. Over the Internet! After waiting 3 months for Andries to arrive in the USA, he missed his flight and then 5 days later wasn't sure if he should come anymore. So I told him that if he didn't know by now, he would never know. End of story.

I have met some great guys over the past few years. Call it bad timing, me always moving, or just their shyness or my shyness that nothing ever happened. I still talk to the couple of guys I refer to here. Even flirt. I am even sure they know who they are. But a girl can only do so much.

So I pledge to myself to only pursue happy, healthy relationships. It begins....now.

Grandma's New Convertible...Amish Style

Back on the Wisconsin farm, it looks like Grandma's got a new convertible. I miss times like this. Loving and missing my family and friends.

Becks

Crushed...

This time I am not talking about grapes, but instead my poor little heart. By now you would think I would be used to my personal love life always being a bit of a mess. I thought that this time around things were finally on the up and up. Andries, my boyfriend, was supposed to catch his flight in Johannesburg yesterday afternoon and land in JFK Monday at 7 AM. Three months since we were together last. I have been counting down the days for over a month now and tomorrow was the BIG day. We have been looking forward to a future together in Oregon. For some reason I knew something had happened.

I got home from the gym today and there was an email from Andries. He missed his flight (there was a car accident blocking the highway) and was too scared to call me as he felt that I would be mad and wouldn't believe him. I have never had to try so hard to love someone before. At first I thought it meant he wasn't coming at all and my heart broke into two. There are somethings in life you cannot control. This is one of them. At the end of the day, I am just happy he is okay. I am sad and had a good cry, but he can always rebook his ticket and I can always wait another day, another week and another month. We had a great conversation this afternoon via SKYPE and hopefully this roadblock just makes us realize how much more special we are to each other.

I remind everyone to cherish each and every minute with the people you love. Because you never know if and when you will see them again.

You Better BEElieve It!

Can you guess which foot I was stung on? I was on mile 1.25 when I felt something drop into the tongue of my shoe. All of a sudden I felt a burning pain and knew that I had been stung. The bumble bee was trapped between the tongue of my shoe and my leg and was stinging me like crazy! I flicked him out and fell to the ground. Son a of BEEtch. My ankle hurt! I pulled out a few pieces of the stinger and got up to finish the rest of my 14 mile run. It was a good run and the pain from the sting disappeared. It wasn't until the following day that the swelling, burning and itchiness occurred. I rubbed anti-itch cream on and iced and it kept getting worse. So I finally gave in and went to the Salem Urgent Care.

My doctor entered the room buzzing like a bee. I liked him from the beginning. Took one look, said oh my! And prescribed me a steriod pill and another diuretic pill to reduce the swelling. So Week #8 of my Portland Marathon Training is on hold. 30 miles to log this week by Sunday and I am at 0! Hopefully tomorrow it will be better and I can get back on track.

BEE careful!
BEEcky

Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday to me! I turned 29 on the Fourth of July. What did I do? I spent the morning on a peaceful 12 mile run in Forest Park in Portland. What an amazing place to run! I have found my runners paradise here. In the evening, I met my friend Dawn at Press Wine Bar where we had dinner before we headed to the St. Paul Rodeo. We watched bull riding, roping and hot cowboys on horses. It was great. My only complaint was the lack of nice wine/beer.Coors Light was the official sponsor and therefore the only beer served. I woke up the next morning with a nice Coors Light headache!

Looking back on past birthdays:

28: Australia Balloon Popping. I was in Tawonga South, Victoria Australia. Nathan, my roommate, blew up tons of balloons and put them in the hallway. It was hilarious. We had cake and celebrated with sparklers and by popping balloons.

27: Minnesota Demolition Derby. This was a low-key birthday I spent at a demolition derby in a small town in Minnesota. I watched the fireworks from Joey's car because it was raining.

I think back to all the things I thought I would have accomplished by now. I thought I would be married, have a couple kids and own my own business. I have not accomplished any of these things, but I have accomplished more than I ever imagined.

I am excited to turn 30 next year! I plan on spending my 30th birthday climbing Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. Training for the climb will begin after the Portland Marathon in October. Anyone who cares to join, let me know.

What Does Google Got On Me?

I was curious to see what Google had on me, so I Googled myself. First search: Becky Rochester wine. Of course my blog popped up, Bargetto Winery newsletters, along with the R Little Vineyard website, but then I found I was featured on a brochure for the Mid-American Wine Competition. Check it out! www.midamericanwine.org/Food-WinePairing.pdf

Next up, Yahoo!
Found an article on me in Make Mine Wine: www.impactbybarb.com/MMW_Fall_08.pdf

Bet you're curious now. Go ahead Google yourself.

Oregonian Life...Goodbye Gumboots, Hello High Heels

I am officially no longer unemployed! Yep. I have a job. A wonderful, challenging job at a winery in the Willamette Valley. Last Thursday I had a 3 1/2 hour interview with a few people including the owner and walked out with a job offer. No second or third or even fourth interviews. I was shocked! Finally, what I have been anxiously awaiting for. I started on Tuesday and the week flew by. It is amazing how fast a week goes when you have something to do. I am excited to see what the future holds for me here. Everyone I work with is amazing. I am truly lucky.

Other than that I am enjoying the nice weather and scenery. I am slowly making new friends and even reconnecting with old friends from Wisconsin who live out here (Thank you facebook!). Andries is flying over on July 27th. Some people have mixed feelings about him coming here, but it is my life and I love him. We are working things out and giving it one last shot. He is an amazing person and I know he never meant to hurt me. Our situation has been different than most couples would be and now it is time to see if we can be together in a real life situation.

I am still training for the Portland Marathon and tomorrow is an 11 mile run. Well, the next wine adventure officially begins...this time I don't have to fly anywhere, live out of two suitcases, drink Milo on smoko breaks and wear gumboots with high vis gear. I will miss those days more than I ever thought I would, but I am excited for the next chapter in my life.

Look Around

Tonight I took a look around my new apartment. It's interesting to think back of where and when I acquired certain things. I have some of the most random knick knacks and decorations. But the great thing is, that each one of them represent special memories, special people and special times in my life.

Here's the top five most random items in my house:
1. A homemade sock monkey: My mother made this for me for Christmas one year and it has traveled with me ever since. It reminds me of family and home.
2. A Rubik's cube: Somebody special gave this to me and opened my eyes to believe that someday I could and would fall in love again.
3. A three legged pig: It is supposed to bring good luck and was sent to me by a friend while she was living in Japan. This friend was a major part of my college life.
4. Big Sur Half Marathon Bib and framed picture: This was my first half marathon that I ran. I am even smiling in the picture. I cannot say the same for Jon, my ex who was a real trooper to even take the initiative to run it with me. This was how I got addicted to running races. The best feeling in the world is crossing the finish line.
5. A pair of pink high heeled shoes that are actually a wine bottle opener and a beer opener: A recent gift from my Aunt Lisa, but one that shows people really are reading my blog. One of my posts "I Traded my High Heels for Rubber Boots" talks about how I gave up my office attire and high heels for rubber boots and less appealing work clothes. I appreciate that people are supportive of my dreams.

So take a look around. What special memories are surrounding you?

Memorial Day Weekend

Over Memorial Day weekend my friend, Lisa, flew in for a visit from California. It had been a year and a half since we last saw each other so we had a lot of catching up to do (conversation and wine that is). Like always, she was glad to help me do some research in the industry. Friday and Saturday we became local tourists in Willamette Valley. We tasted a wide assortment of wines from Oregon and even Washington! But most of the wines we tasted were Pinot Noir. We spoke with owners and winemakers and tasting room staff to learn more about the vintages and vineyard sites.

Wineries we visited included Archery Summit, Erath Winery, Canas Feast, Tyrus Evan, Cleo's Hill Wines and two smaller producers whose name I cannot recall.

We also visited the new and still under construction Press Wine Bar during its Memorial Day Weekend open house. I interviewed here for a part-time job last week and hope to get hired. Four boutique wineries: de Lancellotti Family Vineyards, Arterberry Maresh, Crowley Wines and Merriman Wines were pouring their wines. All of these wines were amazing and I highly recommend them all. There will also be a restaurant Farm to Fork and luxury boutique hotel on site.

This is a picture of Lisa at Archery Summit Winery in Dundee Hills. We were the first ones to arrive at 10:00 AM.

How Long Before I Can Call Myself A Local?

Greetings friends! You will be happy to hear that I finally have a permanent residence in the USA. My new home is in Sherwood, Oregon. 15 miles from Portland and in the Willamette Valley Wine Region (Pinot Noir country). My mother and I left Wisconsin on Thursday afternoon and arrived here on Saturday. I am living in a brand new 2 bedroom apartment and loving it.

Today is Thursday, May 21st and I am all unpacked and waiting anxiously for a job offer. This week I had four interviews! Yes. Four. All of them went well and I even had a second interview for one winery. The biggest weakness that they find with my resume is that I am not a local. The thing is that I already interviewed for a job here a few weeks ago and was one of the two final candidates. The only reason I didn't get the job was because the other woman was a local. Since that was the only thing stopping me from getting the job, I quickly found a place to live, packed up my stuff and drove cross country so I could begin my journey of becoming a local.

So how long does it actually take to become a local? I have started going to Starbucks every morning and ordering a carmel latte with an extra shot. Am I a local the day they remember my name without me telling them? Or maybe it is the day when I walk into my favorite wine bar and the bartender asks me if I want, "The usual?"

I am not sure what it will take for me to become a local. Don't you know, I am from Wisconsin and always will be. I can live here and become accustomed to the wines and the culture but deep down I will always be a Midwest girl.

What I Have Learned

Here's what I have learned the past year and a half:

1. Think with your head and not your heart. It is your heart that gets you in trouble and sometimes even makes you fly to Tasmania and back twice!

2. Some jobs seem more glamorous then they appear.

3. Having a college degree doesn't mean anything. It's the people you know and the choices you make that matter.

4. No matter where you go and for how long, it is always nice to be back home.

5. If you think you have it bad, remember there are people out there who have it much worse.

6. Family and friends are the most important things on this earth. Call them, email them and hug them every chance you get.

7. Life is short. Make sure you do the things you dream of doing. Travel, take a day off of work just because, laugh, eat ice cream, have a glass of wine.

8. I am not perfect and never want to be. Life would be boring that way.

9. With each door that closes a new one opens. You just have to be patient. (Something I am working on.)

10. That I don't know what life has in store for me next. But if it is anything like the past 28 years, then bring it on. Life is an adventure. Jump on board.

Probably the Worst Tasmanian Vintage

Well, are you on the edge of your seats waiting for a blog update? This is Beckaroo and I am reporting live from beautiful Kayena, Tasmania. Today is April 7, 2009. This is probably the worst Tasmanian vintage in a long time. Why do you ask? The total crop is down at least 30% or more and the grapes are having one heck of a time ripening with all the rain and cool weather. Also botrytis cinerea, a necrotrophic fungus that affects many plant species, although its most notable hosts may be wine grapes threatening a majority of the crop. In viticulture, it is commonly known as botrytis bunch rot. The fungus gives rise to two different kinds of infections on grapes. The first, grey rot, is the result of consistently wet or humid conditions, and typically results in the loss of the affected bunches. So work is limited and the harvest is probably going to wrap up fairly soon.

I am taking it day-by-day. As you can see from the picture above the work here is hard. This is a picture of me sampling the juice. It is a tough job, but somebody has to do it! Just happy to work when I can and I am even picking grapes on my days off if there are any to pick. I need a bit of improvement in the vineyard since I have already sliced open two fingers with the shears.

The winery work is keeping me fit and I am running a lot here. I ran in a women's 5 km breast cancer fundraiser in Launceston a couple weeks ago and finished 26th out of 2000+ runners/walkers. Not bad although I would have liked to place in the top 25. My time was 22:08.

I am excited to come back to the states and see my little handsome nephew Jamison. I miss everyone and will see you soon!

Vintage House