Saison D’Etre is an in-depth journey into veraison, and the delicate interplay between nature and personal identity. This specific stage of wine grape growth captures the penultimate ripening of the berries - the brief and magical tumble from firm green to softer, more pliable, sugar-filled grapes in a bevy of colors that are unique to each seasonal metamorphosis, each vine and blossom of grapes, each specific type of grape and location in the vineyard. Chlorophyll depletes, anthocyanin pigments and individual flavor profiles develop, and flaws and idiosyncrasies become evident. This is a time when sweetness accumulates, as does translucency - not quite transparent, but more visible and vulnerable just the same.

It is a fascinating parallel to our own lives and the growing call to have courage to show up as our own version of beautiful and real. No longer young and unblemished, perfectly symmetrical and innocent of experience… yet what a marvelous trade of symmetry and uniformity for infusions of color, character, variation and idiosyncrasies that reflect our individual journeys. We let go of the focus on how we appear and trade it for the joy of being true to ourselves, our values and priorities. We are asked to come to terms with inevitable changes, aging, transitions and the unexpected stretches of growth that meet us along the way. In return we learn from experience the exquisite peace to be found in tumbling our unique selves into being.

Saison D’Etre celebrates the profound beauty found in the small, the every-day and often-overlooked. It is a sweet sampling of the breathtaking gifts of natural beauty found in nature and life - as is, “flaws" and all.