“Sticks and Stones

When I was 13, we moved from the ‘old ranch’ to a property a mile down the road. It was a special piece of land that my parents had driven by for years, fell in love with and dreamed of as a place to build a home and develop a family vineyard.

Once the house was built, the work began preparing the land to be planted. We were all involved. There was heavy equipment to do the bulk of the clearing but then my father told us the rest had to be done by hand. Specifically, walking the acres to be planted and picking up all the smaller sticks and stones. He was meticulous about making the land perfect for the new vines that were to be planted.

When I was told that we had to walk the property and pick up all the sticks and stones, I couldn’t believe it! At 13, I’m sure there was some eye rolling. I told my Dad it wasn’t possible to pick up all the sticks and stones over such a large area. My Dad then drew a small square in the dirt with the heel of his boot and said, ‘Do you think it’s possible to pick up all the sticks and stones in an area this size?’ I replied, ‘Yes, of course.’ Then he made another square next to the first one and asked the same question. I said, ‘Yes, it would be possible.’ He then explained that this is how we’ll do it, section by section, day by day, a little at a time until it’s done. And that’s what we did.

I felt so imposed upon at that time but now I look back with fondness and pride that our vineyard was and still is, very much, a family operation. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for making me help.”

— Lori Barra