Harvest 2015 Update #6

“Today is the first day of harvesting red grapes – and I believe the first time in the winery’s history that red grapes have been harvested before Labor Day.

We picked the East side of Block B Merlot on the Komes Ranch. This particular block ripens East to West, so we typically pick it in three sections: East, Middle and West – usually about a week apart between picks.

The yields are down this year, as a result of some variation in set due to a cold snap we experienced in May. However, the bumper crops in 2012, 2013, and 2014 may have as much to do with the low yields we are experiencing in 2015 – given the fact that vines don’t typically produce as much fruit after high yield years. The good news is the fact that the quality should be exceptional!”

— Winemaker Paul Steinauer