With today’s picking, we are starting on the second half of harvest 2013.  We farmers always talk about the weather.  It is THE controlling factor in many cases and this year is no different.  With little rain since December, a nice spring, good summer, and a few heat spikes, the crop is almost is large as last year’s bumper crop of 2012.  It has matured a couple of weeks early so here we are, two weeks ahead of schedule.  That’s a good thing because it gives us a lowered chance of enduring rains or freezes.  The most significant difference from previous crops is that late varieties want to mature with early varieties so there are more grapes to pick at the same time.  This creates a shortage of man power, trucks to haul, and, most importantly, fermenting capacity at the winery.  When your fermenters are full, there is no room at the inn!  What it takes is a real coordinated effort on the part of the vineyard and the winery to keep things moving.  Quality of the vintage is very good.  Most grapes are being harvested at optimum maturity levels, which will aid in making very good wine.  

 

2012 Pinot Grigio: This year, we had the largest crop ever in this variety, but the most important thing is that harvest conditions were excellent and almost all grapes were picked at optimum levels.  What distinguishes our Pinot Grigio from most others is that it’s grown in the cool Los Alamos region.  That gives you more flavor, lower pH, more acidity, making a vibrant wine that is completely dry with no residual sugar.  It makes a great cocktail wine and should be enjoyed with light foods.

 

2010 Pinot Noir: Italy is not really known for Pinot Noir but it is grown there.  What we try to do is select from our vineyards a Pinot with a little more spunk, maybe a little deeper in color, from Clone 115 or 667.  Our region is considered one of the best growing regions for this variety and we’ve included it in the Toccata family of wines.  In today’s world of wine, Pinot Noir continues to grow in popularity.  25% of our vineyard is dedicated to this variety.  Most Italian wines are higher in acidity so this wine, along with Dolcetto, gives you a potential cocktail style red wine.  My favorite is Pinot Noir with salmon.

 

I really like telling you there’s a Harvest Party because that will mean yesterday’s worries are over!  November 9th.  It’s time to prepare for Thanksgiving.  These two wines just might make your Thanksgiving table complete!

 

Wine is a gift of earth’s magic.  We are so thankful.