Demi Sec
Yesterday’s picking of Petit Manseng was our earliest harvest date since we planted the variety in 2002. We’ve always made the wine in a Late Harvest style, but this year that style would not be appropriate.
Read MoreObeying the Grapes
I was hoping that yesterday would be the last day of crush for the reds, but we couldn’t quite do it all. We started the day picking.
Read MoreWinding Down
It may be a bit premature, but there is a sense that the end is in site. I’ll probably feel differently when I go back to the cellar to try to figure out how we are going to manage the rest of the week.
Read MoreThe Fuse Has Been Lit
From Wednesday evening through Saturday we had over four inches of rain. Conditions were damp, but cool throughout this period. Yesterday, once the sun came out, I mustered up the courage to walk the vineyard blocks that we were not able to harvest pre-rain.
Read MoreSmell, Feel, Taste
Pump-overs and punch downs are at a critical stage now, as the reds are at their peak of fermentation. Every twelve hours decisions are made as to what level of extraction each bin requires. By shear necessity these decisions are made quickly and intuitively.
Read MorePicking up the Pieces
We are taking a break after a tremendously exhausting, but satisfying week. Break is relative. While harvest and crush are on hold as gloomy weather still prevails, the cellar is very much alive and needs a lot of attention.
Read MoreNe Ratez Pas
A cascade of red grapes and fermenters are filling the the cellar at a pace I have never experienced. We have harvested 80% of our entire red wine production in 6 days. Red harvest usually spans 3 weeks.
Read MoreO.M.G. What Just Happened?
I’m sure records were broken as to the shear quantity (not to mention quality!) of grapes we picked yesterday. The rain teased us from the very beginning, but a good part of the day was rain free until the very end when we all got soaking wet.
Read MoreRain Pick
Today will be one of those days we all dread. Picking in the rain. The forecast moved the start of the rain from later in the afternoon to the morning. We will start to pick at daybreak and keep going all day, probably taking breaks in any heavy showers.
Read MoreTwo tenths of an inch
We got very lucky last night. Only two tenths of an inch of rain. This will have no direct negative effect on fruit quality. However the down side is that is is warm and wet outside right now. I can feel the botrytis rot ready to rear its ugly head.
Read MoreGame Face
Our leisurely harvest pace has come to an end with the forecast of rain. Today begins a stretch of bringing in as much fruit as logistically possible.
Read MoreFingers Crossed
This time of year the first thing I do in the morning in check the weather forecast. Its the last thing I do before going to bed. I also check it during the day, at lunch and in the evening.
Read MoreRed Wine Fermentation
Yesterday was one of the easiest “big” days we’ve experienced. I’m always a bit apprehensive when day one involves large quantities, but all the equipment worked well. More importantly, the grapes were in excellent shape, so very little sorting was needed.
Read MoreIntuitive Winemaking
Today in the first day of red crush. Many hours will be spent on the sorting tables pulling out stem jacks and pink berries. The Merlots are very ripe. I feel confident that we picked at the right time.
Read MoreLessons Learned From 2010
Merlot harvest starts today. It seems that the weather will be good next week, so we are only picking the riper blocks this week.
Read MoreRipening Synchronicity
Today we crush red grapes for Rosé. We weren’t able to finish picking all the ‘corners’, so in between press loads some of us will head out to finish picking.
Read MoreForecast
Today is a big harvest day of red grapes for Rosé. We were hoping to get started yesterday, but the rain didn’t end until noon. The vines and clusters didn’t dry until mid afternoon.
Read MoreRosé
We are picking red grapes for rosé today and tomorrow. Today is rain delayed. This is the first rain since harvest started. I’m hoping that we get less than an inch and things dry out quickly.
Read MoreLast Harvest for My Nemesis Block
Tomorrow we pick red grapes for Rosé. More on that later. Included in this picking will be a vineyard block that has been my nemesis since 1988 when it was planted.
Read MoreDecisions
Today we crush and press the old vine Hardscrabble Chardonnay. This is the fifth vintage in a row for an exceptional Chardonnay harvest. Maybe exceptional has become the norm?
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