A Toast to Harvest 2023 in Sonoma County
In the heart of the Russian River Valley, the vines have been biding their time under persistent foggy skies.
These are cool climate grapes, indeed. And now, it's clear: the vineyards have been crafting something truly special.
With each passing day, the small, concentrated berries have been quietly developing layers of flavor, their slow ripening not an inconvenience but a testament to the unique character of this year's vintage. As the saying goes, "good things come to those who wait," and the waiting game of 2023 is about to pay off in spades.
The beauty of a cold season lies in its ability to coax out exceptional quality, to tease out the depth and complexity that can sometimes be overshadowed in hotter years. Yes, there's been a little variance in ripeness, but let's not be fooled into thinking that's a bad thing. On the contrary, it's provided a stage for the grapes to truly shine, each one dancing to its own tune and contributing to the song.
The year 2023 has turned expectations on their head, taking the concept of cool climate wine and elevating it to an art form. It's been a season reminiscent of 2010 and 2011, with nature's patience testing our own. Sugars levels are steadily rising while acids are gradually falling, resulting in what can only be described as dream chemistry in our samples.
But as any seasoned winegrower and vintner will tell you, slow ripening is a game of anticipation, a steady build towards a crescendo of flavors that can only be achieved by allowing Mother Nature to play the symphony at her own pace.
As we step into the heart of the harvest, the excitement is palpable. The winery is a hive of activity, with grapes steadily making their way from the vine to the barrel. It's a race against time now, a dash to the finish line that will wrap up in November.
But through all the hustle and bustle, there's an air of exhilaration. We're on the cusp of something extraordinary, a vintage that promises to be nothing short of stellar. The 2023 wines are shaping up to be the embodiment of quality, a testament to the magic that can happen when you give nature the reins and let her run wild.
“Harvest is one of my favorite times of year , the early morning start to the day (3am), the sun rising over the hills, the fog lifting by late morning in the Russian River Valley , A nice cup of coffee as the bins of grapes arrive to the loading area, and the final result of 11 months of work and sweat and Mother Nature to be able to harvest some of the best grapes in the world.”
The late start to the harvest has been a blessing in disguise, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and develop a depth of flavor that promises to make the 2023 vintage one for the books. The journey from vine to barrel to bottle is a long and winding one, fraught with challenges and uncertainties.
But if the current trends are any indication, Harvest 2023 is shaping up to honor the resilience of the land and the unwavering spirit of our vintners. So raise a glass to the magic of the vine, to the patience of the growers, and to the promise of an unforgettable vintage. Here's to Harvest 2023 - may it be every bit as extraordinary as we anticipate.
