Vintage Matters
Read MoreToothsome, But Not Photogenic
Red harvest started yesterday. The clusters were not pristine. The grapes were a bit gnarly looking. The vines look somewhat bedraggled. The crop is small. But the flavors, ripeness and concentration are remarkable.
Read MoreHarvest Update: Finishing Whites, Waiting for Reds
It's Time for the Winegrower's Selection
Read MoreThe Intuitive Vintage
Picking decisions have been unpredictable this vintage. There have been too many uncertain and unusual variables. We experienced a hot, wet, tropical early summer. Then came drought and cool nights. Earlier this week 3” of rain fell in 24 hours. The yields are about half of typical. This may be our smallest harvest since 1987. Spotted Lanternfly continues to menace. No playbooks for 2025. Intuition rules.
Read MoreStir Crazy
Every vintage has a personality that impacts the wines. But for those of us that harvest, crush and ferment there is also a distinct rhythm for each season. This year is no exception. Spring and mid-summer were wet, humid and hot making for extra vine work under less than ideal conditions. Once ripening began conditions have been near idea with dry sunny days, low humidity, and cool nights. Ripening has been slow which is making for some concentrated grapes with very high-quality acidity.
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