After the visit to Perdido Vineyards, Joseph changed his Beach Wedding plans. He discussed it with Ashley, and contacted the team at Perdido V. When the team said yes, the rest of the plans were changed. 
It was chaotic, but worked out very well. The small ceremony took place in the center of the main vineyard at dusk, with a hand fasting, using vines from Cajun Vineyards "mother vine". 
The pictures are still being edited, but officially, A.Savage.Naquin, is A.Savage.Jaubert. Congrats Ashley and Joseph.

What started as a camping trip to Cajun Vineyards to spend the night among the coyotes, hogs, snakes, spiders, mosquitoes, gators, and whatever else is out there, turned in to a spur of the moment opportunity of a lifetime. The day before the trip, Joe's mother called and the two decided for an impromptu visit (she lives in Florida). Since there would be very little time, Joe wanted to do several things at once. Every year He and Ashley visit a vineyard for their anniversary, so after a search for vineyards between Louisiana and Florida a 40+ year old vineyard website came up. A quick reservation, and it was set. 

The drive was long, but worth it. The vineyard was weathered, but can easily be seen for the beauty it was not long ago. The wine was good, muscadine wine really is better than regular grape wine. What was better than the wine, was the people. Friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced in giving a wine tasting experience. ​

For Joseph, this was a glimpse into his future, and a way to show his mom what he was working towards. 

These months have flown by with hit after excruciating hit that have caused everyone to pivot and either adapt or fall behind. We have adapted, bled, and adapted some more. Our first breath of fresh air came this last weekend as our team finally came together. Finally, after months of clawing and scraping out of the hole we dug, finally taking a step forward. We have been understaffed for far too long, which has slowed/stopped progress on the apiary, and so many other needed projects. We had come very close to closing before we even really had a chance to get started.

We could write a novel on the hardships of 2020. We could also write a novel on how we have pushed ever forward and overcome those many, many hardships. Issues such as broken promises, covid, and the economic downturn, have caused us to further organize and better prioritize funds so now we actually have a better budget, and leaner operating projects. We ended up with a more compassionate and dedicated team as well. We learned vital lessons with a smaller crop so that going in to a much larger crop will yield less greater opportunities for success.    

This pandemic really put the brakes on progress. We were supposed to have been ready to go by March 14th. It was an early spring, but I wanted to make sure there were no last minute cold snaps. Peak time has come and gone. I did have the foresight to build a green house just for the plants. The first crop grew too big so I planted them in my yard close to the green house/nursery. I ordered the next crop and they have been sitting for a few weeks with LED and nutrient water just begging to be planted. They are healthy, but need to be on trellis soon. 

We are focusing on 8 different varieties. Possible 9, there is a strain of wild ones on the property. If they are within the sugar tolerance then we may be bringing them into the fold. Time will tell. 

We also have our favorite variety of black berry ready growing at the nursery waiting to be transplanted next year. They will likely die if we did it this late. 

This did not go as I planned, and I had to turn my yard into a nursery with plants everywhere, but it is what it is in crazy covid, world. 

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