Embracing Shift

Embracing the Shift

I can hardly believe how quickly this summer — and this year — has passed. With autumn on the horizon, I find myself noticing the subtle signs of change: the sky softening into a deeper hue, the air carrying a new crispness, and the sounds around us shifting as the season turns. The last of summer’s crops make way for fall’s abundance, and nature quietly reminds us that nothing is permanent, yet every chapter has its beauty.

The change of seasons always stirs memories for me, especially from my years at HammerSky Vineyards in Paso Robles. September meant waiting with anticipation for the grapes to ripen — the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon often leading the way, and the Zinfandel holding out until the very end. Each harvest carried its own rhythm and sense of suspense. Alongside the vineyard work came weekends filled with weddings, golden light, and the ever-present sound of leaves falling from the oaks and sycamores. I can still smell their earthy perfume as we raked them, their crunch underfoot a familiar chorus of autumn.

September and October in California hold a magic all their own — the perfect balance of clean, crisp air and warm sunshine. As the season turns once again, I’m reminded to welcome these changes with gratitude. Here’s to embracing the shift, in both nature and in life.

xo

Kim