It can’t be March because yesterday was January 1st!  It seems we farmers, “dirtmen”, either talk about the crop or we talk about the weather.  This winter has been dry, cold, and hot.  In the vineyard, weather is everything so the answer is being able to adjust.  With no rain, we irrigate.  When it’s too cold, we prepare.  When warm weather makes buds begins to swell, the race is on!  Whatever happened to normal?  These are exciting times.  Grapes and wine have increased in demand.  It seems a couple of short crops with increased market demand has turned a difficult situation around.  What hasn’t changed is the need to perform.  In the vineyard, every day is a new challenge.  That’s what makes this a special business.

2009 Chardonnay, Goodchild: Our Goodchild Vineyard provides us with distinctive grapes that have been consistent over the years.  This wine, barrel fermented in mostly neutral French oak and taken partially through secondary fermentation, gives you the hint of oak and buttery character that many people look for in a Chardonnay.  The goal is to add style but not overwhelm the grape.  This vineyard not only produces this fine wine but provides grapes for the likes of ZD and Steele Wines.  

2009 Petite Sirah: Old vines, old vines, old vines.  Our vineyard has produced some outstanding Petite Sirah in the past and this one ranks with the best.  Our biggest problem is limited quantity.  The variety is very susceptible to rain damage and takes a long time for the grapes to mature, so production is limited.  You will find this wine to have spectacular color and soft, silky, huge tannins with a little white pepper.  And most unusual, it has lower alcohol which takes away the heat and makes the wine lush.  Petite Sirah has recently made more of an impact in the marketplace.  When right, this variety can be as good as the best.  This one will take you there!

We have a lost wine weekend in Arizona in May - you should surprise us and meet us there!  The Tasting Room celebrates its 10th birthday in June.  Special activities on the 15th.  Andy will be celebrating the whole month!  It’s Alaska in June.  I want to plant a vineyard there.  Just kidding.  Check your newsletter for more!

I’ve been doing rain dance all winter with some friends.  We invite you to join wherever you might be!  My vineyard is thirsty.