In our last newsletter, we were worrying about the freezing temperatures. Fortunately, the buds were not open and we came out of that in good shape. Since that time, we have had bud break. We had a couple nights of freezing temperatures. We had a few vines get nipped on the Goodchild Ranch and four acres of one of our Italian varieties took a pretty good hit. As we always say, in farming we live with the weather and it is a tremendous influence on what happens in the vineyards.

This year’s first berry finds are slightly larger than usual. Those good winter rains cleansed the soil and put a small reservoir of water below the water table, improving growing conditions.

We just started with the second week of harvest and we are getting our pickers fine tuned. Father John Finley gave us all a blessing, which was badly needed and enjoyed by all! Growing grapes and making wine has a lot to do with the wonders of nature. Sometimes a little bit of divine guidance makes it work.

Harvest 2013 started a few days ago with the picking of a little Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for Sparkling Wine.  The past few days, we’ve been picking Valley View Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio in Los Alamos.  There are many variables in each year’s harvest and the most difficult thing is having the patience to wait until a grape is at the point of perfection.