It only happens at harvest time!!!

The flood gates have been opened, with grapes rolling in at a rapid pace. We are now pressing four or more lots per day. Four loads is a manageable day and five loads requires clock work precision receiving the grapes and loading the press. Six loads per day is what makes interns cry and seven loads is just plain crazy.

Well that's the kinda Monday we had, five loads we're scheduled and there was the opportunity to sneak in a sixth early in the morning. However we were surprised when the early delivery was late, which was kind of strange as this management company always delivers on time...then, when I was told there was another trailer at the bottom of the road, I knew we were in for an interesting day. The sixth load picked heavy and required a seventh. The good news is that the fruit came from a desirable vineyard and that more was better than less, the bad news was that seven loads is seven loads. With a mountain of fruit to process the cellar team put their heads down and got to work. They all had such a great "Let's get it done!" attitude. You never know what's going to happen on any given day during harvest, but with a great team nothing is impossible!!

Keith Hock
Winemaker
Schramsberg Vineyards

Ramping up!!!!

We are less than 2 weeks into Harvest 2011, which happens to be our 47th harvest here at Schramsberg Vineyards!!! We have already pressed about 250 tons of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

It has been a nice and easy warm up. The cellar team is eager and raring to go, their only complaint is that they haven't had enough overtime and that harvest hasn't been that challenging yet. I have assured them that the normal days are about to end. We are scheduled for 4 to 5 loads per day through next Tuesday and I expect the next 10 to 14 days to be biggest and longest days of the season.

I get a rush out of this time of year! It's the anticipation for the first pick and then the logistics of getting the grapes off the vine and to the winery at their optimal ripeness.

We walked the tank room yesterday - tasting the fresh juices, ones just starting fermentation and the first wines from vintage 2011. They all taste amazing!!! These first impression's are the foundation for Vintage 2011, and we like what we taste!!!!

Bring it on!!!!

Keith Hock
Winemaker
Schramsberg Vineyards

(Note from the Napa Valley Vintners: Check out Keith in our first Harvest 2011 video!)

Harvest 2011 is looming!!!

It's that time of year, the time all winemakers have waited for, Harvest!!!

We've bottled previous vintages, and the winery has been prepared meticulously with the help of eager interns, ready to get their hands dirty. Harvest at Schramsberg is no different than harvest at other wineries in the Napa Valley, except that we start several weeks earlier due to our work with sparkling wine grapes.

Harvest 2011 is without a doubt going to have another late start! However, the beauty of a late harvest, especially in the Sparkling Chardonnay and Pinot Noir world, is that sugar accumulation has been slow while acidities are sky high. In addition, we winemakers like hang time for flavor development. I'm not one to count my chickens before they hatch, but,I am optimistic that Harvest 2011 is going to provide us with the goods to craft another vintage of delicious sparkling wines. If vintage 2010 is any indication, which I believe it is, I am feeling pretty good from where I sit. Although I haven't hit the dial button on the phone, my finger is getting antsy, and I can't wait to call my growers and get Harvest 2011 started.


Keith Hock