Vineyard Views – Weekly Photo Challenge: Narrow

“Go wherever the narrow way passes.”

Israelmore Ayivor

NARROW ROWS

I admit it; I don’t like wine. There, I’ve said it. My husband, a world-class oenophile, might have reconsidered marrying me if I’d felt that way when we first met. (just kidding……or maybe not!!) What I DO like, are vineyards. Ripe with grapes, just harvested, newly planted – you name it, they’re a photographer’s dream.

IN THE FOOTHILLS

“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.”

Henry David Thoreau

Happily, most vintners don’t mind my wandering through their countless rows of wine-to-be while my husband happily samples their wares. Admittedly, there have been many occasions when I’ve stared glassy-eyed as he expounds with other like-minded wine lovers on the earthiness/fruit=forward/tennis ball in the mouth (REALLY?!??!) qualities of one vintage versus another. On those occasions I’ve felt a bit like ET must have felt before he was able to Phone Home 😊.

FRUIT OF THE VINE

“A narrow neck keeps the bottle from being emptied in one swig.”

Irish Proverb

Perhaps my favorite thing about visiting vineyards is that wine lovers to a person all seem to know and appreciate good food. Count on it – where there are vineyards, there will definitely be wonderful restaurants. Now THERE’s a quality that gets my attention. Walla Walla Washington, where these captures were made, was no exception. Good food. beautiful weather, good photo ops and a happy husband? Priceless!!

“Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:14

In closing, I shot the advertising poster above in one of the vineyards we visited because a) it made me laugh and b) when explained it made perfect sense. The Walla Walla vineyards join others across Oregon and Washington in protecting water quality and bio-diversity for native salmon. They do so by planting trees on streams, growing cover crops to control run-off, and applying natural methods to control weeds and pests. Who knew?!

Cheers – whatever your libation of choice – until next week.

Tags: #shapingyourstory, shaping your story, Walla Walla, weekly photo challenge

69 thoughts on “Vineyard Views – Weekly Photo Challenge: Narrow”

sandramytravelness on August 8, 2016 at 8:14 am said:

Oh, yes, Tina! Vineyards are a stunning theme for any photographer. I love to follow the seasons passing by, watching the colours changing and the cycle of life in a single vinegrape. Wonderful post, Tina!! Cheers 🙂

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- Tina Schell on August 19, 2016 at 11:07 am said:
  
  Thanks Sandra – and cheers to you to!
  
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rabirius on August 6, 2016 at 11:15 am said:

Excellent.

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- Tina Schell on August 7, 2016 at 6:39 pm said:
  
  Thank you Rabirius >
  
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bluebrightly on August 5, 2016 at 8:54 pm said:

I’m sorry I haven’t been here in so long…taking a look now to catch up a little. The salmon are being saved all over the PNW – even looking down at the sidewalk on a busy street corner, one sees brass signs about clean water draining into the sound, for the salmon. Yes, it’s pretty cool! I like the processing – looks like you had fun with these photos!

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- Tina Schell on August 5, 2016 at 10:15 pm said:
  
  Well thanks for stopping back in Lynn, and for all of your comments on my recent posts. Had totally forgotten you were in the PNW, BUMMER! Will catch you next time 🙂
  
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wanderingcows on August 4, 2016 at 3:46 am said:

That’s really interesting about protecting the water quality. It would be good if all vineyards partook of that behaviour. I like the odd glass of wine but not enough to tell them apart. Lovely picturesque images.

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- Tina Schell on August 4, 2016 at 8:35 am said:
  
  Thanks WC, I feel the same way😊
  
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luckylee36 on August 2, 2016 at 5:03 pm said:

Great post! It,s been w wonderful summer so far. Hope all is well with you Love cuzzin lee

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- Tina Schell on August 2, 2016 at 8:48 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Cuzzin 🙂
  
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Andrew Seal on August 2, 2016 at 3:35 pm said:

Great choice of images Tina. Visually vineyards are always wonderful to visit. Lines, vines and wines – what could be better 🙂

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- Tina Schell on August 2, 2016 at 8:43 pm said:
  
  Many thanks my friend – “Lines, vines and wines” LOVE THAT!!
  
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norasphotos4u on August 2, 2016 at 8:41 am said:

Beautiful photos and interesting story on the salmon!!

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- Tina Schell on August 2, 2016 at 8:44 pm said:
  
  Thanks Nora!
  
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Photography Journal Blog on August 2, 2016 at 1:40 am said:

I’m with you, I’d rather walk the vineyard then samples the wares. Lovely images.

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- Tina Schell on August 2, 2016 at 8:44 pm said:
  
  Thanks PJB!
  
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Carole Davie on August 1, 2016 at 8:07 am said:

Great post T. Brings back fond memories of our trip to Napa/Sonoma. Too bad I didn’t learn the phrase “I’d like to revisit that wine” at the beginning of our trip!! Great photos and wonderful comments. Do they serve Cosmos at the wineries???

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- Tina Schell on August 1, 2016 at 8:51 am said:
  
  LOL, sadly no cosmos, hence my wandering the vineyards while others partake of the offerings. Hmmmm…..”revisit”…I must share that w my beloved!!! Always great to hear from you GF!
  
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Jane Lurie on August 1, 2016 at 1:57 am said:

Along with tennis ball i’ve heard gym sock. Oh, the world of wine. Your post on the first image is like a drawing. Glad you had fun there!

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- Tina Schell on August 1, 2016 at 8:55 am said:
  
  Thanks jane, it was one of my favorite stops which was a big surprise to me.
  
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Maverick ~ on July 31, 2016 at 10:52 pm said:

A perfectly cheerful response to the challenge. Your images are lovely.

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 10:54 pm said:
  
  Thanks Maverick
  
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fingerprintwriting on July 31, 2016 at 9:47 pm said:

Ah, I’d love to see a vineyard. Thanks for your sharing your beautiful photos and information that goes along with the advertising poster.

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 9:50 pm said:
  
  My pleasure FPW, thanks for stopping by
  
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Mabel Kwong on July 31, 2016 at 8:37 pm said:

Interesting fact there at the end. Lovely to know that vineyards keep clean water going. As long as none of the juices and wine flow back into the water 😀 I don’t drink, but I love a good vineyard view. Brilliant shots 👌

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 9:10 pm said:
  
  Thanks Mabel – just think, drunken fish!! Perhaps a new delicacy for the local restaurants 🙂 As always, appreciate your visit and comment.
  
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Amy on July 31, 2016 at 7:31 pm said:

Love this take on, Tina! Beautiful photos of the vineyard.

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 8:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks Amy, much appreciated!
  
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dorannrule on July 31, 2016 at 7:10 pm said:

🙂 Such a clever interpretation of “narrow” Tina!

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 8:47 pm said:
  
  Thanks Dor!
  
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debbiepalmer176 on July 31, 2016 at 5:39 pm said:

What a great way to show narrow, beautiful pictures! Living in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, I get to see vinyards every day, but I did not know about the tennis ball description either. I’ll have to remember that if we go wine tasting, thank you for sharing.

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 8:31 pm said:
  
  Thanks Debbie. My husband and I just finished a trip to Victoria and Vancouver. Quite a beautiful place you call home!
  
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  - debbiepalmer176 on July 31, 2016 at 10:32 pm said:
    
    I love the Island but haven’t spent much time in either city. My son will be going to university on the island in September so I can’t wait to explore a bit after I drop him off.
Heyjude on July 31, 2016 at 4:18 pm said:

I love wine, but I hope the bit about the tennis ball was a joke 😉 I prefer the mint and chocolate with vanilla and liquorice – maybe not all in the same glass!
And I love the first image – has a painterly texture to it. Been on the effects again Tina?

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 4:47 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jude, but no, that one was straight out of camera! Tho I must admit I thought these might be worthy of some experimentation. Perhaps in a later post! RE the flavors, I agree! But if you think about it, she meant it touched all the sensors of the mouth so was actually a pretty good analogy!
  
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Leslee on July 31, 2016 at 3:54 pm said:

As usual, I love your photos and I especially love these quotes. We are headed to Sonoma next week and you inspired me to get my camera out again. And, I’m not much into wine either. Champagne – YES! Glad you and Bailey are enjoying your summer.

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 3:57 pm said:
  
  Thanks Leslee, great to hear from you! Enjoy Sonoma, I,love it out thre. Great food AND photography 😊
  
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Sue on July 31, 2016 at 2:10 pm said:

Great post Tina, did make me smile…

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 3:59 pm said:
  
  Excellent, thanks Sue!
  
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  - Sue on July 31, 2016 at 4:00 pm said:
    
    😀
Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread on July 31, 2016 at 2:00 pm said:

We live fairly close to a small vineyard and I’ve visited a couple of times. Those rows are a sight to behold and admire. I do like wine but prefer light and fruity which I’m pretty sure is not what your husband his peers are enjoying. I like the poster too. 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 4:00 pm said:
  
  Correct Judy-he’s a lover of big, robust reds but you know what they say, the only thing that matters is whether YOU like it or not!
  
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april kanew on July 31, 2016 at 1:51 pm said:

OMG I WISH I didn’t like wine…maybe I can learn😜 Just wonderful details in these shots….also love the advertising poster….sort of dreamy……….🍷

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 4:01 pm said:
  
  LOL April, not sure my love of cosmos and margaritas is much better than a love of wine tho!
  
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arv! on July 31, 2016 at 1:38 pm said:

Excellent choice for WPC! Lovely images Tina!

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 4:01 pm said:
  
  Many thanks Arv!
  
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  - arv! on August 1, 2016 at 4:25 am said:
    
    🙂
Inside the Mind of Isadora on July 31, 2016 at 1:08 pm said:

I enjoy visiting vineyards. This looks like one to add to my list.
You photographed the narrow rows of grapes perfectly. The sign is cute and funny too.
Isadora 😎

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 4:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks Isadora. We’ve spent time in vineyards in France, Argentina, and Chile as well beautiful Napa and Sonoma. These in Walla Walla were up there with the best of them. Well worth a visit
  
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Chillbrook on July 31, 2016 at 11:48 am said:

Lovely pictures of the vineyards Tina and a very enjoyable post. 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 4:04 pm said:
  
  Many thanks Adrian
  
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pattimoed on July 31, 2016 at 11:39 am said:

Great post, Tina. I love how you describe the way oenophiles describe wine! Your husband would love the documentary on Netflix that my husband and I watched on the ASI international sommelier competition. I can see what you’re up against. 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 4:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks Patti; yes, the oenophiles have a language all their own, don’t they? Was the Netflix documentary Somm, or something else?
  
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  - pattimoed on July 31, 2016 at 4:42 pm said:
    
    Yes, it was. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2204371/
Marsha on July 31, 2016 at 11:25 am said:

Looks a lot like our area in the Central California foothills. Your weather is better. Very beautiful!

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 4:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks Marsha, yes very similar and both beautiful!
  
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Sharon Buehler on July 31, 2016 at 11:18 am said:

Tennis ball?? That’s a new one. 🙂

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 4:07 pm said:
  
  LOL, yep, I swear! Meaning the wine was so full of flavor a it touched all of the sensory points in the mouth. Cracked me up!
  
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SueBee and Kat on July 31, 2016 at 11:15 am said:

I enjoy wine, the taste, if it’s good or bad, and there’s the extent of my wineogology. I’ve never heard the tennis ball one, but it made me laugh! Thanks for a great post!!

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 4:08 pm said:
  
  Thanks SueBee & Kat. Actually that’s the perfect criteria by which we should judge wine IMHO😊
  
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  - SueBee and Kat on July 31, 2016 at 7:33 pm said:
    
    So true! I honestly nearly laugh when I going wine tasting and get one of the very serious ones who tries to convince me to taste the bark, or chocolate, or who knows what.
loisajay on July 31, 2016 at 11:02 am said:

Oh, Tina–I had to laugh at the descriptions wine lovers give of the taste. I love the movie “Sideways” for that reason. Charcoal and leather? Really? I’m drinking that? Great post.

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 4:09 pm said:
  
  Agree wholeheartedly Lois! I loved sideways too, as did my husband. Certainly made Merlot famous, didn’t it?
  
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  - loisajay on July 31, 2016 at 4:13 pm said:
    
    Oh my goodness–and I like Merlot!
Linda Wyatt on July 31, 2016 at 10:28 am said:

You taught this bud lite girl a thing or two… Thank you for this most interesting post!

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- Tina Schell on July 31, 2016 at 4:10 pm said:
  
  My pleasure GF. You keep drinking that Bud girl, I bet they’re saving sal on too LOL
  
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