Upon arriving at Brick House Vineyards to shoot one afternoon during harvest, Doug Tunnell and Melissa Mills invited me to first sit down with the rest of their crew to have a glass of wine as they finished up a late lunch. That's what it is all about - taking pause and soaking it all in before getting back to work.

I like that approach and appreciated the kind welcome from Doug and Melissa, who were such gracious hosts throughout my stay. Grace is a word that aptly describes Brick House wines, ones that I am a big fan of and appreciate with each bottle opened at my table.

On this day, it was a truly connective experience tasting a Brick House 2008 Chardonnay while gazing over rows of unpicked fruit which would go into this year's vintage. There's nothing better than visiting an estate winery and being in the same place where the grapes are cultivated and the wine is crafted.

What an extraordinary start to what turned out to be an exceptional afternoon. Tasting the ripe fruit and getting a sense of the place that is Brick House Vineyards. I hope the images to be shared in the coming days effectively convey what a special place and what a wonderful group of people comprise Brick House.