The Grapes of Early Summer

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The 2015 growing season is well on its way. From bare stocks in March, the vines have grown 3 to 4 feet and the grapes are noticeable green berries. All grapes start out green; in the next 30-45 the red grapes will start the process of going from green to red. It is a great time to be in wine country as the grapes are changing. This is the second year in a row that we have received very little rain. We are supposed to get 35 inches, last year we got 5, this year we got 9 inches just about all in one day. The vines get their water through their roots and don’t require a lot of water. The drought of 2014 & 2015 will actually make the wine even better; less water in the berries means more flavor in the grapes. Word is the 2014 wines will be awesome.

Will let you know in a few months when harvest will be. Late September and all of October is a great time to visit wine country!!

The Grapes in Fall

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The grapes of 2014 have been picked and the wine has been made. How the 2014 vintage will turn out and how it will rank, only time will tell. But the winemakers I’ve talked with say that 2014 could be a special. Why? Because of the drought. This past rain season, November 1st. 2013 to April 1st 2014, we were to get 35 inches and we got 5. Grapes / the vines get their water through their roots and because the ground water was non-existent in the soil, the grapes had less water in them creating a more concentration of flavor. What mother nature provided or didn’t provide will show up in the wine. The colors in the vineyards after harvest have been spectacular!