Harvest Report: Challenges continue for grapegrowers

David Stoneberg | Posted: Wednesday, October 19, 2011 6:37 pm

The challenges of the 2011 harvest continue for those who grow grapes in the Napa Valley, but with a handful of warm days predicted, the cabernet sauvignons and other red wines from this vintage may be spectacular, in part because the grapes were harvested at lower alcohol than in the past.
Pat Stotesbery of Ladera Vineyards on Howell Mountain said harvesting should be in full swing by the week of Oct. 25, but he adds, “Sooner or later we are simply out of time.”
This week’s harvest report by American Viticultural Areas from north to south is as follows:

Calistoga — Paul Smith, Vermeil Wines at OnThEdge Winery: Alternating dry, cold, rainy, hot and humid conditions confuse vines and vintners alike. The good: Earlier blocks off the press are juicy, full and truly smacky. The bad: Already shy yields fall with each bearded berry culled. The ugly: In 40 vintages I’d not heard the term “mercy pick” until Saturday. Translation: “Let’s pick the damn block and put it out of its misery.” The unknown: Quality with remaining vineyards. Optimum V-11 ripeness is a moving target, completely subjective, with as many definitions as there are growers and winemakers.

Diamond Mountain District — Dawnine Dyer, Dyer Vineyards: As of this Monday, picking has been fast and furious on Diamond Mountain, in some cases because of the explosion of botrytis that has been fueled by the warm weather where 24 hours can make a serious difference. Those with good air drainage are taking advantage of the weather to boost sugars that are still below average, but for many it is the last in a series of challenges that have been the hallmark of the vintage and more fruit is being dropped in the field — further reducing an already small crop. The next week will tell the story.

Howell Mountain — Pat Stotesbery, Ladera Vineyards: The eastern slopes are now well under way with picking reds. The balance of the mountain will pick little bits later in this week, but with the forecast looking favorable, there should be vigorous activity by the week of the 25th. Sooner or later we are simply out of time. All word indicates that fruit looks good and fresh. so it is only heat and time that are needed.
Chiles Valley District — Volker Eisele, Eisele Vineyards: The week saw some pleasant surprises. First of all, it rained very little on the 10th and then dried quickly, warming up into the 80s. If there had been any sugar losses in the week prior, sugars soon came back. We even saw the first substantial harvest of cabernet sauvignon,
20 tons, but the bulk of it is still hovering between 21 and 22 degrees Brix. I think it is a fair prediction to say that the wines of 2011 will be the wines with the lowest amount of alcohol in years. It will be interesting to read what the critics say to that. One more bit of good news — almost all the zinfandel has been safely picked without major problems. The quality is excellent although the quantities were somewhat disappointing.

Spring Mountain District — Stuart Smith, Smith-Madrone Winery: No question that the rains have put a somber mood over the Spring Mountain District winemakers, but not sufficient to extinguish optimism for a great vintage. Slip skins and/or rot are virtually nonexistent on the mountain. The weather is holding, sugars are climbing, flavors are bold with pH and acids still good. All the winemakers I’ve spoken with are very happy with the quality coming from the younger blocks and the perennial early blocks of reds that are now being harvested. However, most are expecting to hold off harvesting their main blocks of the cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc for at least another week or two.

St. Helena — Sarah Buxton, general manager, St. Helena Winery: This year has been the most challenging year since our beginning back in 1994. It has been a cool summer and like many, our harvest has been delayed. Aaron Pott was onsite Sunday and was pleased at the condition of our fruit. This vineyard is truly special. We experienced some shatter with the cabernet and we brought in our first fruit off the estate Monday. Petite syrah and petit verdot are coming in!

Oakville — Pat Garvey, vineyard manager, Flora Springs Winery: Weather is becoming a headache. The humidity after last week’s rain was extremely high and a few berries on clusters are beginning to show signs of mold in cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Harvested chardonnay after the last rainfall when leaves and clusters were dry. Could use 10-12 days of temperatures in the 80s.

Stags Leap District — Elizabeth Vianna, winemaker, Chimney Rock Winery: The cabernet sauvignon harvest is in full swing this week. Nikki Pruss, winemaker at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, brought her Fay vineyard at the latest date she ever has. She is delighted by the acid and tannin ripeness at low Brix and predicts some “classically elegant” cabernet. At Chimney Rock we hopped on the cabernet roller coaster Wednesday and already are planning a party to celebrate the end, which will come quickly. We are in complete agreement with Nikki — lower Brix and healthy acids make for age-able elegance.

Atlas Peak — Jan Krupp, Stagecoach Vineyards: Harvest is currently in full swing on Atlas Peak, with everything except cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc being picked. Quality is impressive so far. The inch and a half of rain early this month and last week’s damp Monday have caused botrytis in petit syrah, the few remaining whites and occasional syrah clusters. Merlot pedicels are weakening ,causing the berries to shake off early, resulting in decisions to harvest. Petit verdot has shown minimal botrytis, again resulting in harvesting.

Mount Veeder — Brian Nuss, Vinoce Vineyards/ Twenty Rows: Grapes still sitting at around 22 Brix and looking great. We’re supposed to have a good week weather-wise and are looking forward to it. Just about the same throughout Mount Veeder; we are hoping to start picking next week.

Oak Knoll District — Jon Ruel, Trefethen Vineyards & Winery: The weather this week has been great. We have continued to bring in some nice small lots, including all the petit verdot and our first cabernet of the year. Other blocks are close but will probably hang for a while longer unless the threat of rain returns.

Carneros — Lee Hudson, Hudson Vineyards: It is good to have the challenges of last week behind us. Monday’s light rain was a tipping point in some vineyards. Rigorous field sorting on the tail ends of the chardonnay harvest was required to deliver mature sound fruit. Sugars were somewhat lower than what we generally expect, but still sufficient to produce quality wine. As dry warmer weather returned midweek it showed how cool heads, good management, teamwork and experience pay off. As the air cleared from last week’s dash, it’s a relief to see how many vineyards weathered the week beautifully. Merlot with its thicker skin looks good and will be coming in this week.

Wild Horse Valley — John Newmeyer, Heron Lake Vineyard: We waited until late last week before starting the harvest. It’s all in now (pinot noir and chardonnay) with lovely ripe fruit flavors. Although it was a light harvest, it took a long time to complete because we had to pick carefully around spots of botrytis rot.
Copyright 2011 Napa Valley Register. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Posted in Business, Local on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 6:37 pm Updated: 10:09 pm.

Source: http://napavalleyregister.com/star/business/harvest-report-challenges-continue-for-grapegrowers/article_05cb6850-fabc-11e0-8452-001cc4c03286.html

Leading Philippines Wine Supplier Yats Wine Cellars based in Clark Philippines with outlets in Angeles City, Subic Freeport and Manila Philippines has been not only a wine shop for fine wines covering all major wine regions but also a source of reliable and useful information about wine, wine appreciation, wine accessories, wine and health, food and wine pairing and all other matters relating to wine and its appreciation. This Philippines Clark Freeport based Wine Supplier and Wine Shop frequently holds public wine tasting events in Pampana Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City, Subic Bay area, Makati, Fort Bonifacio and other areas in Philippines capital city Manila. Private Wine events such as private wine tasting and private wine dinners are also designed and organized for private clientele for their wine loving guests.

Wine Catering is a unique product of Yats Wine Cellars, created back in 2005 in response to a growing demand for private wine parties in Manila, Cebu, Subic, Angeles Clark Philippines.

Chateau Lafite-Rothschild is the most revered wine in China and many other parts of Asia. The best wine shop in Asia to buy older vintages of Chateau Lafite is Yats Wine Cellars located in Clark Philippines. Aside from Lafite, visitors can buy other fine wines at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Latour, Mouton-Rothschild, Haut-Brion and Margaux. Excellent Burgundy wines like Chambertin, Vougeot, Musigny, Bonnes Mares, Pommard, Meursault, Chambertin, Vosne Romanee, Romanee Conti, La Tache and Romanee St. Vivant can be found here.

Yats Wine Cellars can be reached at their Clark Wine Center Philippines wine shop located on the main highway M A Roxas of Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone or their sales office in Ortigas Centre, Metro Manila. Here is the contact information:

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
(045) 841 4006 / 0922-870-5173 / 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay
Looking for interesting hotels near Manila Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga?
Trouble free hotels and well recognized hotels in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga
Clearwater Resort and Country Club offers a good place to stay in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga. In offers nice place to have rest in Subic Pampanga outside Manila.
One of the Philippines top hotels in north Luzon.
Looking for a restaurant in Clark for a Business meeting? Or a place to eat with friends? Yats Restaurant offers exclusive dinner venue for groups, a good place to celebrate special occasions, it can be a party venue in town. Yats Restaurant is a recommended restaurant for private dinner in Philippines, a well-recognized restaurant that serves good food and good wines for dinner.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.yatsleisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Yats Restaurant is an excellent Restaurant to dine, a restaurant with good food, a good place to have birthday party and special events. A Kid-friendly restaurants in Manila

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasions

Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

www.YatsRestaurant.com

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasion. It is one of North Luzon Philippines’ top hotels that is trouble free, risk free, and a nice place to have rest in Subic. A well-recognized and interesting hotel.

www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com