The Harvest of 2007

Winemaker notes from Tony Coturri

2007 was a very difficult, long and rewarding Harvest.
The weather was extremely variable and cantankerous.

We saw severe heat (ten days in early September) and 3 rain periods-the last one stopped picking for 8 days mid-way through October. The yields were down, the bunches and berries were small and the sugar levels generally lower than the last few years.
Vineyards that typically had to hang the fruit till 26 or 27 % sugar, came in ripe this year at 25%.

We had long hang time with the rains and the coolness after the storms.
These cooler temperatures carried over to the fermentations.
Generally the ferments were cooler and longer.
Few fermentations got above 85 degrees and 10 to 18 day fermentations were not uncommon.
The colors were dark due to the smaller berries.
This years young wines show good fruit characteristics, ripe acids and clean aromas.
Our first Harvest (Jewell Pinot Noir) was on September 6th our last pick was the 29th of October and the last pressing was the 12th of November.
A long season !!!