After an interminable wait, today starts the big push. As expected, almost all the Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay at both Hardscrabble and Avenius are ripe. Flavors, aromas and acidities all fell in line over the weekend.
Read MoreYesterday was Linden’s first crush day. Logistically all went well. Some issues are always anticipated as there are a lot of moving parts that haven’t moved in 10 months. Happily, no surprises on this first day of crush.
Read MoreToday is the first day of harvest. Never have we had a start date that has changed so often.
Read MoreThis weekend’s weather was perfect: dry, cool, and sunny. Ripening is back on track and we have a weather forecast that is close to ideal.
Read MoreAt sunrise this morning the pond was smoking. Autumn’s first chill and summer warmed water combined to produce a fine wispy steam.
Read MoreToday ends a miserable week of weather. Rain, fog, mist, and clouds have stalled ripening and contributed to some rot. To what degree I do not know because I have stayed out of the vineyard.
Read MoreWe are ready for harvest. The August bottling has emptied barrels and tanks, crush equipment is running smoothly, and trucks, tractors and trailers operational. But the grapes are not ready.
Read MoreVintage 2020 is beginning to come into focus. Yesterday berry samples were taken, lab analysis run, and juice tasted. White grapes are first to ripen, so they command our full attention at this stage. The only definitive conclusion we can surmise is that 2020 will be a very late harvest.
Read MoreThe vineyard is starting to dry out after a soggy start of the month. A new flush of growth has sent us back into the vines to hedge, mow and weed. Fortunately it looks like harvest will be at least a week late, possibly starting the week of September 7. This will give us more time to get all our crush and fermentation equipment cleaned and prepared.
Read More