This podcast episode, titled The Night Before Harvest, captures the raw and emotional reflections of Keith Saarloos as he sits in his truck, preparing for the first harvest of the year at Windmill Ranch. Keith’s words are filled with anticipation, nostalgia, and personal growth, blending reflections on his family, the passing of his father, and the legacy they built together. He weaves memories of past harvests with the present moment, drawing parallels between winemaking and life’s journey.

Keith talks about how every vintage represents an entire year of work, effort, and care, emphasizing that wine is not just a beverage but a reflection of time and experience. He also shares the bittersweetness of continuing the family tradition without his father, acknowledging the hole left by his absence but finding strength in moving forward. His thoughts oscillate between excitement for the future and longing for the past, all while remaining deeply grateful for the life he’s chosen.

The episode is a testament to Keith's deep emotional connection to the land, the harvest, and the people who share in the journey, ultimately celebrating the beauty of creating something lasting and meaningful through his family’s legacy of winemaking.

Key moments include:

• Keith’s reflections on 26 years of harvests and the anxieties that accompany the anticipation of each one.
• The vivid memories of working side by side with his father, sharing stories that have become part of the family’s fabric.
• The realization of how his children, Brielle and Cash, are growing into their own lives, marking the passage of time.
• The overwhelming gratitude Keith feels for the journey, the struggles, and the sense of fulfillment that winemaking has brought him.

The episode closes with Keith’s hopeful words as he looks ahead to picking the grapes, knowing that each harvest is a moment of both personal and collective significance.