As we transition into a new year, it’s a time to reflect upon what we’ve accomplished — our second grape harvest, learning more about winemaking and the industry, our first friends and family event, launching our wine club, sharing our wines with Laotian dignitaries and starting construction on our production facility and tasting lounge.
Looking ahead towards 2026, we’re really excited about the completion of our production facility, which will allow us to produce and bottle our own wines in-house. We will also have space for small tastings and events at the production facility, which will put guests right next to the winemaking process. We’re also really looking forward to opening our tasting lounge so that we can serve our wines directly to guests as we get to know them. And we plan to host chef and wine pairing dinners at the lounge, which will be one-of-a-kind, curated events.
So there’s a lot to look forward to in 2026 and we’re here for it.
Before we close, we wanted to share about a very special visitor at the winery and a construction update.
A Monk’s Blessing
We are a Lao-American-owned winery and we are extremely proud of both our Lao heritage and our American identity. We celebrate both cultures in the way that we live our lives and run our business. For example, we are Christians, but we also sometimes observe some of the Buddhist traditions that we grew up with.
It is a Lao tradition for a Buddhist monk to visit a new home or business to bless it. The ceremony includes prayers and ancestral offerings to establish a sense of peace and welcome in that space. Family members usually gather for these ceremonies and it’s believed to bring good luck for the home or business owner. Such a ritual is significant because a home or business is more than just a structure or building. It is a place where people gather and life unfolds. Because of this, it’s very important to establish a calm, welcoming and peaceful vibe from the beginning.
A high-ranking monk traveling from Laos visited our vineyard for such a blessing in December. While there, he strolled through the vineyard, tasted our grapes and took it all in. He even unknowingly chose the exact spot where Suzi first stood and felt connected to the land — a spot where you can see our four ponds and much of the 20+ acres of vineyards — for meditation and prayers.
His main message to Suzi: follow her heart and trust her instincts. If she does so, and respects the land and those who inhabited it before her — she will be rewarded.
The monk will continue his travels in the U.S. We are extremely honored that he took the time to visit Four Ponds to offer such a special blessing.
A Construction Update
Work is now underway inside the production facility. The barrel room and case storage areas are complete. Framing for the restroom and office are next. Some very unsexy construction photos to show our progress below. But soon, the space will start to look like a place where wine is made and we can’t wait. Behind the scenes, we’re also having fun designing the tasting lounge.
Join Our Wine Club
Treat yourself, or the wine lover in your life, to a Four Ponds Wine Club Membership. Join now and to be a part of our Founder’s Club. Learn more about the special perks that come with this membership here.
We wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you at our winery in the coming year!