Winemaker Update 2017 #5

Mother Nature has certainly dealt us quite a hand this year! She dealt us almost two full weeks of Phoenix-like weather with 110–115F days! And just when it was supposed to taper back, and settle into the mid-80’s, she dealt us another round of 100+F degree days – crazy! Fortunately, we were very proactive with our irrigation regimen before, during and after these heatwaves, and made it through relatively unscathed. It certainly sped things up a bit. Presently it is September 27^th, and we have already completed 75% of the 60 different lots that we receive. From our total estimated production, we are about 65% through the harvest at this point. Based on what we are seeing in the vineyards, we could complete harvest by the second week of October, if not sooner. It wasn’t that long ago, that we rarely, if ever finished before November!

Not wasting any time, we are already ripping out one of our Sauvignon Blanc vineyards at Crossroads Ranch in Oakville that was faltering due to disease.  Fortunately, we sold these grapes to another winery, so it will not affect our Sauvignon Blanc production at all. We will be planting this block to Cabernet Sauvignon and will receive that fruit in the coming years to increase our Oakville Cabernet program.