How long does a grapevine last?
How long does a grapevine last? This frequently asked question is a good one, but one without a good answer. You see, it depends.
Read MorePreparations for the first day of pruning
The first day of pruning generates both reverence and excitement. It is the beginning of the new growing season. Each pruning cut contributes to the many decisions that will impact the 2020 vintage.
Read MoreFirst Notes on the 2019 wines
This week we tasted the 2019 wines from barrel in the cellar. This is not the most ideal setting as it is better to draw the wines in the morning and then taste them at correct temperature in the library where in fact, we are also warm. But tasting in the cellar is faster and can give us a good overview of what to expect as the wines settle down during their winter slumber.
Read MorePairing Wines for Thanksgiving
The classic Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, stuffing, Brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce is decidedly wine unfriendly. This riot of flavors and textures will probably clash with any one special wine. Something sweet, bubbly, or pink probably has the best chance of success.
Read MoreGood Fences Make Good Neighbors
Spontaneous wildlife sightings are some of rural living’s greatest rewards. A brief unexpected appearance can turn a bad day around. Bear, deer, raccoon and fox are our closest neighbors. They are adorable, especially their young. They love to eat grapes, and they add a good deal of stress at harvest time.
Read MoreVintage 2019: Good, but just how good?
The 2019 harvest finished up several weeks ago. This week we pressed the last of the Cabernet Sauvignon, which is one of the stars of the vintage. It was a very good year, but also very unusual, so there is some hesitation to “declare” the vintage.
Read MoreThe Last Critical Decision
Merlot fermentations are complete, with the Cabernets close behind. Fermenters are buttoned up with the new wine still soaking on the skins. Post fermentation maceration is the fancy technical term for this. Now the fun begins: two-day tastings.
Read MoreLast Day of Harvest
Yesterday we picked our last grapes under a hot October sun. Petit Manseng and Vidal Blanc are two varieties that were planted with the intention of making special sweet Late Harvest wines. For several decades this worked out quite well, but with climate change, the weather often dictates a drier style wine.
Read MoreRed Crescendo
The 2019 harvest has been relaxed and evenly paced. Until now. Continued dry, warm conditions have quickly spiked ripening in Cabernet Sauvignon. Seemingly overnight the grapes transitioned from “almost ready” to “pick now!”
Read MorePicking Decisions
The continuation of warm, dry conditions have given us the opportunity to precision pick. Instead of massive hectic harvest days, we have a relaxed approach.
Read MoreInspired by Others
At harvest time I drink a lot of good wine. Not to drown sorrows (2018) nor to celebrate (2019), but to learn. As the season unfolds I look to my colleagues for inspiration. These are other winegrowers, mostly in Europe where the vintages can also vary considerably. The inspiration is their wine.
Read MoreBack at it
This glorious dry weather brings us an extra benefit: down time. No rush to beat a rain. A four-day pause from harvest is rare and special as we are afforded an opportunity to get caught up with cellar work and attend to some vineyard fine-tuning.
Read MoreChardonnay Grapes
Dry conditions have afforded us the opportunity to precision pick. We have seven different plantings of Chardonnay at Hardscrabble. They range in age (35 years to 4 years), soils, and clones. By harvesting and vinifying each block separately we are able to better understand the personality of each parcel.
Read MoreIn the Groove
So far this has been a very, very good September for harvesting grapes. Better yet this means really good wine. All we got from Dorian were a few stiff breezes. Harvest has been fabulously uneventful. Pick. Crush. Sleep. Repeat.
Read MorePatience Rewards
Patience rewards, but the wait has been agonizing. The Dorian threat didn’t help, but it looks like we are all clear. Our big push starts tomorrow at Avenius Vineyard to continue at Hardscrabble.
Read MorePause
It is fitting that we should take a break from harvest and crush over Labor Day Weekend. The first small flurry of ripe grapes is “in the barn.” Now we wait. And watch Dorian’s track.
Read MoreLooking Ahead
Chardonnay harvest at Avenius and Hardscrabble is still weeks away, but we are starting to zero in on strategies now.
Read MorePressing Matters
Yesterday was Linden’s first day of crush. But we didn’t crush. We whole-cluster pressed. Perhaps some explanation is required.
Read MoreSingular Task
Last week’s heat wave accelerated ripening. Harvest will start very soon, but the peak of activity is still many weeks away. This is why September’s weather is so critical in determining the overall quality and style of the vintage. All we ask for is cool, dry and no hurricanes.
Grapes into Wine
Follow the 2019 Harvest
Linden will be closed October 11, 12, and 13
Read MoreSuddenly It Started
Yesterday was our first day of harvest. Last week’s heat and this continuing dry spell accelerated ripening.
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