Journal | September 24, 2022

Picking Chardonnay.  Merlot soon

 All Linden’s Chardonnay will be “in the barn” by Monday. We allowed it to take full advantage of dry, sunny weather. It rewarded us with classic balance and good concentration, something we didn’t think could have happened after such a wet summer. Now thinking that 2022 could be the best Chardonnays since 2017. Too early to make that call, but optimism prevails.

All eyes now on red grapes and the track of Tropical Storm Ian. We’ll start red harvest mid-week. Ian will decide for us as to how much we will pick. If the track looks like it will be a rainmaker, then we will pick steadily for two days straight. If Ian veers out to sea, then we will enjoy a leisurely pick to allow for additional ripeness. Right now Merlot, some young vine Cabernet Franc, and Boisseau Petit Verdot have our attention. Cabernet Sauvignon still needs more ripening time as do Avenius and Hardscrabble Petit Verdot.

This cool weather is a delight. While it does slow the ripening process, it also mitigates disease or degradation that could come from rain. Under warm conditions, a persistent rain can turn healthy grapes into a mess in just a day or two. If it is cool, that same rain causes minimal damage. This is one reason why we prefer that grapes ripen later in the season.

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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Journal: September 24, 2022

Hardscrabble JournalJim Law2022, Follow the 2022 Harvest