Growing Conditions

Another year of drought, including the driest fall in recorded history, led to very early bud break. Perfect weather in April and May helped the vines to grow steadily throughout early spring while also facilitating good pollination leading to above average crop levels. The early bud break and uneven ripening temperatures throughout spring and summer moved everything ahead of schedule with pick dates as early as two weeks ahead of average. A slight heat wave in July pushed the ripening forward but cool temperatures in August helped to balance the ripening and preserve acidity and color in the grapes.