Much of our time during a year is spent planning, but January provides us the blank canvas of endless possibilities.  The opportunity to do things better.  The chance to correct past mistakes.  We came away from last year exhausted, but with a bit of R & R, we are resolved, again, that we will do it better, and maybe a little smarter in 2012, and definitely with less wear and tear on us.  We are also going to be stringently guarding the calendar more carefully, saying "No" more frequently, and not over-scheduling, which results in overtired, unhappy, and grumpy ranchers.  We also plan to spend a bit more time having fun -- yes, I know, it's hard to imagine.    

As far as plans for the ranch, the list is endless, but for starters, a new year presents a chance to prune better,  the chance for a year without storms or frosts; a year for perfect heat; the chance to shoot position and thin early in the season; the chance to get ahead of the pests; the chance to bottle previous year's vintages; the chance to create a really outstanding vintage; the chance to streamline the olive oil process, so it's not always occurring in a blinding rainstorm at 2:00 a.m., when it's 40 degrees; essentially, a new opportunity to care for the grapes, olives and lavender -- as well as ourselves -- better. 

So it is with high hopes that we head into 2012.  For us, we truly believe the best is yet to be.  

And to all of you, we wish a very happy, healthy 2012! 

Slainte!