POSTCARDS FROM HARVEST 2024

2024 Harvest was luminous! Lit up by two full moons and cool swims in the Mokelumne River, it was my kind of season! We began early with the Bechthold Cinsault under the full moon on August 20th. A month later, we brought in the ecliptic-super-harvest-moon Picpoul Blanc!

We divided the Bechthold Cinsault to ferment for Rosé and separately for our red bottling.  An early glimpse shows the absence and presence of the skins in the two wines. The Rosé will be part of our blend, where the Red will be bottled as a single vineyard Cinsault-our 4th vintage already!

Cinsault is so beautiful in all forms. 

The Bechthold will rest in neutral oak and stainless steel barrels for about 9 months before bottling. In a full circle moment, we will release the 2023 Cinsault this month. Look for your email!

Fragrant Grenache came in at dawn out in Clement's Hills. 

Usually, I have Michèle by my side for harvest, but this year due to her busy schedule, she cheered me on from afar. Fortunately my sister Stephanie drove in from Montana for one of the busy weeks. She was a natural! We sorted Carignan during our pick at 3am then zipped to SF for the Revel Wine portfolio tasting. Fun to see everyone and taste so many lovely wines.

After three years of talking with farmer and vintner Markus Niggli, we brought in our first Nicolini Ranch Carignan. These vines were planted in the 1930s and recently revitalized. This wine will be the third in our series of single vineyard bottlings of Old Vine Carignan from Lodi. Owner Al Nicolini, Markus and the crew were a treat to work with, the fruit was gorgeous as is the wine. And I learned how to drive a tractor. Lols.

We finished picking on September 18 with the beautiful Terra Alta Picpoul Blanc. A moody sky framed the full moon and we quietly worked under the cover of night to bring in the fruit before dawn.

Wrapped things up with a few good dinners at Guantonios, a game or two of pool plus oysters by the river with friends, and my heart is full. We are excited as always to share our stories and these wines with you.

Thanks for following along.
Love, Melinda