September 5
It’s been hot. It is hot. It will be hot. Meteorological conjugation of the current weather conditions.
The current hot spell was announced at the beginning of the week as “a ridge of high pressure building over the week, however, temperatures should not be much above 100.” The last couple of days the temperature in Yountville has been 100+ and costal towns such as Sebastopol have seen temperatures in the high 90s as well. Thankfully, nights have been cool, but the absence of moisture from the fog has been sorely missed in the vineyards.
Conditions have pushed in almost all the Merlot this week. Thanks to clairvoyant picking decision of Daniel Baron none of the Brix are over 26, acids are holding and flavors are intense. The short crop caused by the frost earlier this season seems to be showing its upside.
We are beginning some serious Pinot Noir picks. Twomey in Healdsburg has picked its West Pin Vineyard located in Russian River and is starting to pull in some Sonoma Coast fruit. All look very promising. Meanwhile the Sauvignon Blanc has gone dry (picked the week of August 12th), retaining its forward aromatic qualities and will now be stirred regularly by the cellar team to build some roundness.
~Daniel Baron