Of course, this includes the first harvest of our young 3-acre block of  Cab Sauv, Merlot and Petit Verdot; but it also reflects an overall increase from our traditionally low-yielding vineyard.  We implemented some different pruning techniques this year to increase our yield on the whites, and crossed our fingers after a particularly low-yielding year last year.  Fortunately it worked - A yield of about 2 tons per acre of Gewurz vs only 1 ton per acre last year. 

And it's not just the quantity, but the quality as well. A summer that was never that hot,  nights that were cool and helped to maintain a beautiful acidity, not too much rain -  all led to grapes that were ripe in every aspect: soft skins, brown seeds and beautiful varietal characteristics.

It takes lots of time to get the vineyard ready for a long winter's nap: almost 20 acres of bird netting to roll up and put away!  Also this year we're implementing the practice of "hilling up": using a blade to rip alongside of each row to mound dirt up over each vine and its graft union.  Typically done to protect the graft union from winter damage, or protect young vines, we haven't done this much in years past.  But with this year predicted to be just as cold as last year, when we lost 2% of our Old Vines to winter damage, and with 9 acres of younger vines, we decided it was time to buy that hilling up blade and give it a try.

Decisions, decisions!  We tasted through every wine in the winery today.  Wow, wow.  With this banner harvest, we have some unique opportunities:  With more Sangiovese than ever (some from a new and different clone), might we do a small bottling of varietal Sangiovese for the wine club only?  Or make more Festa di Bacco, the award-winning blend for which we can't seem to keep up with the demand? Our first vintage of Albarino came in this year.  This is a low-yielding grape and our vines aren't fully developed to maximum production yet.  So do we offer a tiny bottling of Albarino (new labels, new bottles, not enough to really make a splash with) or use it elsewhere?  Whatever else we know, we do know that the 2014 wines (our 25th vintage!) are going to be just fabulous!

 Picnics:   We have the clear panels down, firepit and heaters going on weekends in the Pavilion with the picnic tables.  We don't have space in the tasting house for food consumption, so please plan your picnic visit to us according to the temperatures.

 

Group reservations: Please remember that we welcome groups of more than 6 by advance reservation only.  Without our beautiful outdoor spaces, our indoor space is tight!!  Reserved groups have their tasting in our Sunroom with the beautiful vineyard views on the other side of the glass!