Month: October

Key Activity: Harvest (Chardonnay)

Key color: Red, color of leaves turning color

Key Vine Stage: Ripening – sugar accumulation in berries

After a long growing season (although they seem to pass more quickly each year), harvest time has arrived. The challenge is to pick when the sugar and flavors have reached an optimum level. This decision is largely dependent on the weather, which along the coast can vary. In October, one day can be 95° and the next day the vineyard is 60° and draped in cool fog. Various factors are considered in making the decision to harvest: sugar and acidity, the look of the fruit, the flavor of the juice and threatening weather.

All clusters are handpicked and loaded into half-ton bins. Poor quality fruit is sorted and thrown out. The grapes are immediately shipped to the winery and crushed. These vines are done for the season!

Sincerely,

John Bargetto

Director of Winemaking

Monthly Progress Reports: A look at month to month activity in the vineyard.

January: Continuous Pruning                             

February: Pruning of 24,000 grapevines

March: Dormant sulfur spraying         

April: Discing

May: Shoot removal                                      

June: Leaf Pulling

July: Shoot Positioning                                  

August: Thinning

September: Sugar Testing (Brix) of Berries

October: HARVEST!

November: Fertilizing 

December: Erosion Control