We’ll admit it. The Journal took a little unscheduled vacation. But while things may have been quiet here, they certainly haven’t been quiet around the estate. August has a funny way of doing that. One minute, we’re pouring wine beneath the trees on a Sunday afternoon. The next, the Barrel Room is being transformed for a wedding, cases are being prepared for Wine Club pick-up, the kitchen is testing something new, and somewhere behind the scenes, another vintage is getting cl

There’s always something special about the last weekend of July. The excitement of summer is still in full swing, but if you look closely, you can see the season beginning to shift. The orchard is bursting with ripe peaches, the gardens are alive with butterflies and busy pollinators, and each morning seems to bring another small discovery around the estate. It's a reminder that life at Durst isn't measured only by the wines we pour or the events on the calendar. It's measure

If you were to peek through the gates of the estate on a quiet Thursday morning, you would find a very different kind of energy than the lively hum of our weekend afternoons. Thursday is the day the estate catches its breath and begins to build. There is a beautiful, rhythmic soundtrack to prep day. It’s the steady snip-snip of shears in the herb garden, the heavy thud of seasoned oak logs being stacked by the wood-fired oven, and the fragrant, sweet steam rising from the kit

There are certain weekends each summer that seem to carry a little more anticipation than the rest. Perhaps it's the way the golden light lingers just a little longer over the vines. Perhaps it's the familiar sound of lawn chairs unfolding beneath the oak trees, children racing toward the grass before the first glass is even poured, or neighbors greeting one another as though no time has passed since they last shared a bottle. This is one of those weekends. As our country pre

There is a distinct change of pace on the grounds this week. If you walk past the veranda this morning, you will see our team stepping into the role of the festive host—unpacking the vintage bunting, stringing fresh outdoor lighting, and softly dressing the historic property in its patriotic best. There is a deeply nostalgic, proud energy in the air as we gear up for one of our favorite milestones of the year, all while the delta breeze keeps the shade under our grand oak tre

If you’ve taken a walk through the estate over the last couple of days, you’ve likely noticed a welcome shift in the breeze. The valley weather is treating us to a beautifully cool reprieve this week, making the mornings under our grand oak trees feel just a little crisper and the afternoon sun feel entirely effortless. While the human guests are enjoying the cooler temperatures, our favorite estate residents, Tucker and Gracie, are celebrating summer in their own personal wa

There is a distinct magic to June mornings on the estate. If you take a stroll beneath the deep, cool shade of our grand oak trees just as the sun clears the horizon, you can feel the valley shifting. Step past the vineyard toward the gardens, and you’ll find the true markers of the season: our estate roses are in magnificent bloom, and the fruit trees are heavy with the promise of a spectacular summer. Moments like this move quickly. A rose opens, a perfect afternoon passes