Winter Chilling-So Cal

Southern California has winters that make for great living conditions for us humans. Obtaining and maintaining the proper chilling requirement for grapes in some seasons is another matter. While I find in most years we do attain the 700+ hours under 45F, days in the 70′s and 80′s negate much of it in some seasons. The above vineayard site received warm sun on the far hillside due to it’s aspect, and lagged behind the rest of the vineyard all season. We dropped all... Read More

California Pinot Noir

We are seeing large clusters in Coastal California Pinot Noir vineyards. Good set weather in April helped pollination. Crop thinning (“green drop”) is beginning. We suffered from sunburn on some fruit during the 100+ degree heat a few weeks ago, and this gives us a chance to remove it as well. The above photo is a perfect example of sun burnt California Pinot Noir grapes.  Read More