Vintage 2021

  • Tying Up Loose Ends

    October 11, 2021 08:39

    Tying Up Loose Ends

    I feel like Fall sometimes mirrors spring. This week, the first full week of October, I am tying up loose ends just like cleaning out the fridge or the garage is spring cleaning. These loose ends coincide with national market work, the weather, the cellar and vineyard as well as at home.

    Tying up loose ends with the weather report: The rain season starts October 1 and runs to September 30-which seems odd when we start the new year in January or ususally start our fiscal year in July. It makes sense when it comes to the weather cycle and when we typically see rain. It looks like in just 10 days we are in for some precipitation, fingers crossed. This month, so far, has been what I call picture perfect fall weather-cool mornings with heavy fog burning off late, a bit of sun and then back to the cool evenings. We turned our heater on this week! Love it, love it, love it. And as far as the predictions for our newly minted rain season it looks like we may have more than last year and, while we aren’t pulling out of the drought just yet, every little bit helps.

    Tying up loose ends out in the vineyard. The vines are getting a sip of water here and there to give them their post-harvest boost as the vineyards get pretty thirsty after all those grapes were harvested. Other tasks include spreading the pomace, aging it, adding it back to the soil. Pomace is what we have left after pressing off the red wines-made up of the skins and seeds removed after fermentation. Part of life here has always included a big pile of pomace there for the taking as it is great for gardens too. The gondolas are put away for another year and other harvest related equipment is cleaned and stored. I hear a couple of our vineyard crew are going hunting this month-wishing Mitch and Lance well.

    Tying up loose ends in the cellar. Cellarmaster Polo is finishing up fermentations in the cellar and transferring the new wine to holding tanks until ready for barrel aging. Winemaker Montse is watching over the tank of Bushnell Vineyard Zinfandel (which takes its’ time every year) to finish fermenting as well as other small lot wines like our Wisdom Cabernet and Courage Zinfandel. And the barrels of our F. Johnson Vineyard Chardonnay are aging away sur lies-that is on dead yeast cells which, while aging, impart added complexity. Ahhh, and the wonderful fermenting wine aromas in the air-as I drive the 9 miles to work the aromas penetrate my closed windows because there are many wineries between home and the office. If only there were scratch and sniff newsletters.

    Tying up loose ends in the market. Final meetings with brokers as we are smack dab in the middle of OND-which covers October/November/December and the fourth quarter of the year. AKA the selling season. Samples have been sent out for consideration by media, wine competitions are winding down for the year. 

    Tying up loose ends in the tasting room. Prepping and planning for events we hope to host next year like Winter Wineland and Passport to Dry Creek Valley. Rearranging the main tasting room area because most of our visitors have been enjoying their tasting experiences on our deck. Since the cold weather will be here in a few weeks Gina and Lizzy are moving things around in order to help our guests get the most out of their visit, indoors or out.

    Tying up loose ends in our homes. Putting away the outdoor furniture, and perhaps the BBQ in some areas of the country. Bringing out slow cookers and going through recipes for said cooker. Turning on the heater for the first time (true story-just this week). Assessing your sweater and coat wardrobe. Planning your winter getaway spot where it is nice and warm while chilly and cold at home. 

    One big loose end I am hoping will be tied up is the pandemic, with an end sooner rather than later. What loose ends have you been tying up this month? Whatever it is I hope you find yourself taking the time to relish the change in seasons and enjoy life with family, friends and a little vino.

    Tags: Pedroncelli, Vintage 2021, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
    Categories: Note from Home
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