Today we picked the first grapes of the 2010 vintage. As usual, Seyval Blanc was the first variety to ripen. But we’re astonished at how early this year – it’s the earliest picking date in our winery’s history. Thus far, the earliest harvest for Seyval had been in 2009, and we picked on September 4th. All season you’ve heard us saying that the vineyard appeared to be running about two weeks ahead as a result of the hot, dry, weather. So far, these estimates are showing to be true. The total yield from our small block of Seyval was 2.89 tons. Samples taken last week indicated sugars to be between 19.5 and 20 brix, with pH around 3.1. We will have final numbers tomorrow after the juice settles – which is still coming out of the press as I write this – and we have proper clarity to get accurate readings.
We don’t expect to receive any other fruit until about the first week of September, when our first lot of Viognier and Chapelle Charlemagne Chardonnay arrive. So that gives Jason and I some precious needed time to prepare for this early season.
Our other pressing matter at this time is trying to keep the wildlife out of the fruit. As a result of the dry summer, food sources for deer, birds and bear are scarce, so they have their eyes trained on our ever increasingly sweet fruit. We are hanging bird netting and other scare devices in the vineyard, patching up our fences and of course, Wahoo and Louise are hard at work as well.
Until next time,
Tom
