HARVEST 2024
We all expected 2024 harvest to start early due to a warm June, July and August, and it did.
As many know, heading into harvest begins weeks if not more ahead of picking. Mat starts checking on vineyards in June and his visits increase as we get closer. Most people understand the search for the picker ripeness. Many winemakers do it by measuring the sugars with a refractometer. Not Mat, he looks for flavor by tasting the grapes and ripeness by looking at the seeds. He doesn't actually know the sugar level until the fruit is processing at the winery.
TNT Vineyard Pinot Noir was the 1st vineyard picked Friday September 5th which I'm certain is the earliest we've ever piked this vineyard. Two acres on Occidental Road about a mile west of our Tasting Room in Graton.
Mat planted TNT in 1999 with Tom of Tom'n Tanya. It is an awesome vineyard for us for many reason's.
Tom and Tanya live on the property which makes a huge difference! They see and act on every daily need plus they don't want any unnecessary spraying, watering..... As vineyard owners, they are very proud and dedicated to super high quality. They farm it themselves. As dog owners, they literally wander through the vineyard every day at least once. When anything isn't perfect, they pull it.
A few weeks later, Mat is talking to our grape contacts, he's searching for Pinot Noir for Rose'. It has been spotty over the last several years where our Rose' juice will come from. Lucky us, this year Tom Cleary of Bohemian Vineyard had a surplus and offered us Pinot from a vineyard off Graton Road near Harrison grade. Super excited about the quality and the price, we committed. This fruit was picked the 3rd week of September.
Grenache came in that same week as did the Fort Ross / Seaview Pinot and Bohemian picked September 30th.
TNT was barreled down September 23rd and Fort Ross/ Seaview a week later.
As per the situation of the wine industry, the economy and the perspective of wine consumption. It appears everyone is being selective and careful of not over producing.
In 2024 we are making 3 vineyard designate Pinot's plus a Russian River Pinot blend, Grenache and Rose'. Keeping it
I got a little taste test of Rose' which we're both so excited about. Mat is excited about the quality.
Pump over and punch downs will continue twice daily for about another week and then harvest will be winding down for us.
Our harvest is at this point, mostly done. Bohemian Pinot is just starting punch down mode, Grenache will be going into neutral oak in the next few days and then the final step for 2024.....we're picking a couple of tons of Chardonnay for late harvest.
This opportunity came mid September when a grower we work with asked if we wanted Chardonnay.
A few tons left on the vines not in contract. Mat went up to view and decided it wouldn't work for a table wine due to the state / condition of the grapes. But then he decided to keep looking at the vines and decided he wants to pick it for a dessert wine project.
We will be going up soon to pick with a group of friends that want the full experience.
After that, we'll keep you informed as best we can.
2024 harvest news, cheers to that!
