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2009 Harvest Report No. 10: Week of October 26
What a sense of humor Mother Nature has! After lulling us into a false sense of cockiness about what a piece of cake this vintage would be, she reminded us that only she controls the weather. Most St. Helena wineries that I have spoken to have reported that all grapes are in the house. Cabernet Sauvignon was the predominant grape left prior to the rains and has "weathered" it pretty well. Without hoping to jinx it, I report no stuck fermentations, m-l's going through as planned and the main concern now will be whether to be a headless horseman or farmer for Halloween. |
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| Chris Dearden
General Manager/Winemaker
Benessere Vineyards
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| 2009 Harvest Report No. 9: Week of October 19
Ripe Cabernet grapes were delivered at a frenetic pace ahead of last Tuesday's storm. Our concerns with heavy rain are mold and getting our tractors stuck in the mud. We hoped for a quick storm followed by wind and right sunshine to keep the mold at bay. We got one day of sun and then a little more rain and some humidity. Fortunately, Cabernet Sauvignon has a thick skin that can handle the rain.
By Saturday we were back in picking mode and the fruit appears to have weathered the storm. As a precaution, we put additional people on the sorting table to inspect the grape clusters.
Overall quality has been outstanding this year from Sauvignon Blanc to Merlot and now the Cabernet Sauvignon. With a little bit of Cabernet still on the vine and more rain on the way, we will remain selective with our picks and the sorting table will be crowded with cluster inspectors. |
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| Dean Sylvester
Winemaker
Whitehall Lane
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| 2009 Harvest Report No. 8: Week of October 12
When they got ripe, they got ripe! On the ranch here at Ehlers Estate the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc were cruising along nice and easy, and then all of the sudden the nights turned cold, the basal leaves started to yellow and whither, and everything that was still out on the vine turned the corner very quickly. We brought in the last of it on Saturday morning, and I’m glad I had the tanks! Very high potassium in the must this year. (Next time you reach for bananas and avocados to avoid muscle cramps, have a glass of Cab Franc too! – 60minutes are you reading this?) Yields for Cabernet and Cabernet Franc were 3 to 3.5 tons per acre, which was a hair more than I’d estimated, (not that it’s ever been close to what I estimated) and the fruit maturity and quality is all I’ve ever wanted. All hands now focused on getting the vineyard floor together before the rains. …dedicated to Josh’s memory, and peace to his family… |
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| Kevin Morrisey
Winemaker/General Manager
Ehlers Estate
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| 2009 Harvest Report No. 7: Week of October 5
The unseasonable heat from the middle of September has had a delayed but significant effect on the timing of the Saint Helena harvest. At the beginning of the heat waves most of the varietals were well on there way to maturity, though not quite there. The heat moved things along at a hastened pace, creating a convergence of ripening red varietals in the same time frame. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and the other Bordeaux varietals are all ready to be harvested as well as Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. For the most part St. Helena Zinfandel has already been picked, and the estimate is that approximately 80% of all Saint Helena Appellation fruit will be in by the end of this week. It has been fast and furious although there is collective agreement that the fruit is of optimal quality. |
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| Eric Titus
Owner/Vineyard Manager
Titus Vineyards
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| 2009 Harvest Report No. 6: Week of September 28
The rain ten days ago reared its ugly head this last week as a few vineyards of Chardonnay and Zinfandel exploded with bunch rot. This week should remove most of those vineyards from the playing field and we will be able to concentrate on the remaining Bordeaux varietals. The short heat bursts caused some dehydration and we began harvesting a few select tons from hillside plantings. The anticipated cooling trend this week should bring in the much needed morning fog allowing the Cabernet fruit the opportunity to reach full maturity. |
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| Bob Egelhoff,
Owner & Winemaker
Egelhoff Wines
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| 2009 Harvest Report No. 5: Week of September 21
Following a mild summer, we enter fall this week with a potential record setting heat spell. All the Sauvignon Blanc grapes are off the vines and came in heavier than expected but the fermenting juice exhibits a wonderful myriad of flavors. Following the rains last week, warming, breezes and leaf thinning minimized the threats of mildew. Only Zinfandel expressed hints of mold, but it was ripe so, with selective thinning, it’s looking good in the fermentors. All other reds will have to wait for subsequent vintage reports. |
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Peter Mondavi, Jr.
Proprietor
Charles Krug Winery of Napa Valley
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| 2009 Harvest Report No. 4: Week of September 14
Weather over the weekend felt as if harvest was coming to finish---but it’s hardly begun! With very cool temperatures and some showers over the weekend, some white varietals will need to come off the vine in order to prevent any mold or mildew. Red grapes can usually handle a little rain, and now need some warmer temps to help maturation. I have heard that most Sauvignon Blanc is off the wine in St. Helena, while some Chardonnay and early reds are in the barn, other vineyards are still out there. Most Cabernet Sauvignon in St. Helena is still a few weeks out. |
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Mark Porembski
Winemaker Anomaly Vineyards, Charnu, and Zeitgeist |
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| 2009 Harvest Report No. 3: Week of September 7
Harvest began for us last week with Sauvignon Blanc from two growers in St. Helena. Flavors were full and ripe with bright acidity, and yields on the high side. We are playing the waiting game now for Cabernet Sauvignon from our St. Helena estate vineyard and from several of our favorite growers – some blocks in those vineyards will be ready as early as next week as long as this weather keeps up. Flavors are beginning to develop and the balance looks great, we are looking forward to a great 2009 vintage. |
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Walter Raymond
Raymond Vineyard & Cellar |
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| 2009 Harvest Report No. 2: Week of August 31
It’s early harvest in St Helena, interns are arriving and Sauvignon Blanc is starting to come off the vine. Other whites should be ready soon. Reds look promising; the vines seem to have set ideal crop loads this vintage. At Spottswoode our Cabernet is enjoying the extreme diurnal shifts. With all of our upvalley Sauvignon harvested, we expect to pick Cab in 2 to 3 weeks. |
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Jennifer Williams
Winemaker
Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery |
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| 2009 Harvest Report No. 1: Week of August 24
As we patiently await the start of Harvest ’09, I am encouraged by the evolution of our Cabernet Sauvignon in the vineyard. The grapes have turned from green to deep/dark purple and flavors are beginning to develop. Sauvignon Blanc is a couple weeks away – just need more citrus and tropical flavors and we will harvest! |
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Steve Leveque
Director of Winemaking
HALL Napa Valley Wines
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