Yesterday, Team Hauser swapped out our usual routines for a day among the vines at Willows Awake Winery in Leeds, Maine. What started as a team-building activity quickly became a memorable experience of connection, collaboration, and appreciation for the winemaking process.
We arrived at 9 a.m. and spent the morning picking Itasca grapes, moving row by row together in rhythm. It was incredible to watch our team fall into a natural flow—passing lugs, clipping clusters, and sharing laughs along the way. By noon, we had helped harvest over a ton of fruit, which could eventually become around 60 cases of wine.
After our time in the vineyard, we gathered for a tasting before sitting down to a delicious lunch at No. 10, Willows Awake’s on-site restaurant. The day gave us not only a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to reach the bottling stage but also the chance to bond with one another in a fresh and meaningful way.
We left with sticky fingers, full glasses, and stronger connections—not just to each other, but to the land and craft we’re so passionate about.
✨ If you’re building a “wineries to visit” bucket list, Willows Awake deserves a top spot. Between the beautiful vineyards, welcoming team, and amazing food at No. 10, it’s an experience not to be missed.
Here’s a glimpse of the day:
