Harvest - Mother Nature's ultimate challenge for Winemakers

“We know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.”  This classic tag line (Farmers Insurance) says it all, even for a winemaker.  Or does it ? 

I remember my first harvest as the head winemaker vividly.  Whew, I’ve finally made it!  The schooling, the internships, a position as a lab tech, then as an assistant winemaker . . . it all seemed to go on forever.  And certainly, as an assistant winemaker, I thought I knew just about everything about wine-making.  I mean, after all, it ain’t rocket science!  Or is it ?

So there I was.  My first harvest as head winemaker.  No one else telling me what to do, when to pick, how to adjust the acids, how to predict weather, what barrels to use, what yeast to use, etc., etc., etc.  Nirvana! 

And then suddenly everyone was looking to me for the answers.  When are we gonna pick?  Can we schedule a tour tomorrow on the crush pad?  What fruit is coming in?  The condenser on the cooling system just went down . . . want me to call somebody?  Do you think it is gonna rain next week?  The sugars in Block 7 are at 25.2 . . . wanna schedule that?  A grower just called . . . he has sugars at 23 and wants to pick tomorrow, OK?  We have heavy bunch rot in a Chardonnay block . . . how do you want to handle that?  The Merlot fermenter has a bit of a stink; what shall we do about that?

“I know a thing or two because I’ve seen a thing or two” all of a sudden didn’t work.  Why didn’t I “know a million things because I’d seen a million things ??”  I felt like I hadn’t a clue what I was doing.  Relatively simple things like walking a vineyard and thinking about a harvest date suddenly became seriously major decisions that I seemed unable to make.  Heat wave on the way, or rain pending, or need to pick tomorrow or we can’t get a truck for a week.  All these decisions to be made!  I thought winemakers just sat around enjoying five course lunches with their sales distributors every day! 

I made it through that first harvest in good shape.  But, man, did I have renewed respect for winemakers!  No, it’s not rocket science but there is a lot to it and there is always more to learn.  Even entering my 28th harvest in a few days, I know I’ll experience something this fall that I have never seen before.  I guess that is part of the draw in any business.  There is always more to learn, always more ideas to test out, always a better way to do things.  Which is exactly why harvest time is so exciting!  As demanding as it can be, as busy and tiring as it can be, the thrill of a new start, of new and hopefully even better wines being made . . . it’s a great time of year!

“I know a thing or two because I’ve seen a thing or two.”  Yet none of us has ever seen everything and I, for one, certainly don’t know everything.  But I’m ready to tackle whatever the harvest delivers knowing we’re prepared to do the best we can and that my team is ready to face whatever Mother Nature sends our way!

Time to get back to the weather reports, check the daily sugar sample report and then head out into the vineyards and get ready to start picking!

Aug 27, 2017 at 9:53 AM Permalink

Lucky 28

I just got back from sampling the Sauvignon blanc and two Pinot noir vineyards.  Yikes!  The numbers indicate the fruit is almost ripe and, certainly by taste, things are just about ready for harvest!  Flavors in the Sauvignon blanc are moving from the grassy, jalapeno, bell pepper flavors to the more tropical, ripe fruit characters we like to see in the wine.  The Pinot noir is developing spicy, lush, dark cherry and raspberry characters.  Yum!

Checking in on the weather forecast is becoming more frequent now.  This morning, as I got ready for work, I noticed that when the local weather report came on I raced to the TV to catch the updates.  After the recent heat waves, we’re enjoying some more typical foggy, cooler mornings and beautifully warm, sunny afternoons.  Perfect! 

My 28th harvest is just about to get rockin’!

Aug 20, 2017 at 12:57 PM Permalink

Harvest is Upon Us

As July closes out and we enter August, it means but one thing . . . harvest is nigh upon us!  This morning I toured the Sauvignon blanc and Pinot noir vineyards on the estate, spending a little more time than usual in each block, looking more carefully at the fruit, tasting a few berries, noticing the condition of the canopies, looking at crop loads.  Such visits will become more and more frequent as the weeks pass by and the fruit ripens. 

Harvest is an exciting time for all of us in the winemaking biz.  Yes, it means long, tiring days are looming but it also means we’re about to start another vintage and that is a wonderful thing!  Harvest interns are on call, chomping at the bit to get a chance to experience what it’s like to really make wine.  We’re busy bottling up the past vintage to make room for the next.  New barrels are arriving.  Tanks are being scrubbed and sanitized.  The crush pad will soon be set up.  And interest in the weather forecast heightens!

By the end of the month Sauvignon blanc will be in house and the sweet smells of fermentation in the air.  Pinot noir will follow quickly and we’ll be off to the races!  Stay tuned . . . I’ll keep you updated on events as they unfold.  In the meantime, grab a bottle or three of your favorite Balverne wines (perfect time of year for rosé!) and join us in looking forward to a great Harvest 2017!

Aug 9, 2017 at 4:15 PM Permalink

Welcome to Notre Vue Estate Winery & Vineyards!

BREATHTAKING. There are only a handful of experiences in life that can be described as such — A moment so awe inspiring that you take pause. In 1992, we were captivated by just such a moment, as we stood atop a ridge overlooking 710 acres of breathtaking, rolling hills of Sonoma countryside.

This incredible landscape forged over eons would one day become the Notre Vue Estate. Over the years, through foresight and determination, the vineyards of the estate have been planted and tenderly cared for and now include 18 varietals that are the foundaRon for our exceptional wines. The estate spans two world-­‐class viticultural areas: the Chalk Hill appellation, with its ashy volcanic soils suited perfectly for Bordeaux varietals, and the ancient river bed of the Russian River appellation, ideal for Burgundian varietals. Preserving the natural beauty of the land has always been at the heart of our vision. For this reason our undulating vineyards weave through a much larger tapestry that now includes 350 acres of our estate that we have protected in perpetuity as open space land, preserving the beauty of Notre Vue for generations to come.

This synergy between vine and ecosystem creates a harmony that feeds our vines and supports the abundant wildlife as well as the natural flora and fauna. Today, standing here on that same ridge, Notre Vue Estate is a prominent winery and vineyard destination known for our authentic guest experiences sought after by loyal customers and wine enthusiasts worldwide. Our estate is a place where you can enjoy the beauty of vineyards or gardens, relish the natural environment and the beautiful vistas, appreciate the architecture and the overall rustic elegance along with the welcoming charm that are all a part of the essence that is Notre Vue Estate.

Apr 21, 2017 at 12:15 AM Permalink