Life always seems like it moving so fast and there are times I forget to stop and smell the roses. I really need to do that and sometimes it takes the smallest thing to put me back on the correct path. While spending the afternoon sitting and tasting my way through all of our current releases with a few winery friends, it dawned on me that I should be doing that more-simply put, it was fun. Too many times I am focused on the next vintage and pushing towards the future-I space enjoying the present. That's completely wrong to do and I vowed to change it yesterday afternoon.
After a long evening at a school board meeting, my brain was fried and I was not in the best of moods, One might say the my bubble was burst after a nice day. I didn't want to think about anything but watching the national championship NCAA football game and enjoying a glass of wine. Our Taylor Reserve Cabernet is usually my wine of choice-last night was no different but I decided to open the current release of Taylor. I've been drinking the 04 vintage for the last several years and have been in love with it so I have no clue what got into me to jump to the 07. The last time I had tasted it, it was still so very young that it seemed like a tight tannin bomb. Syrah was screaming to be noticed on the palate and nothing about the Cabernet was present. So I was a little hesitant about this glass. Thought I would have to let it breathe for quite a bit but I was pleasantly surprised. It is starting to showcase some beautiful classic Taylor Cabernet fruit on the palate and a smoky cigar aroma on the nose. As it opened it, I was pleased by the layers that continued to open up. This is going to be a beautiful wine to be enjoyed now and over the next 15 years. I had a lovely glass of wine which made up for my team not prevailing against Auburn. All in all, a very good night.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
Questions and Answers Regarding 2010 Harvest
Before anyone starts yelling at me for not blogging, my excuse is the 2010 harvest kept me busy and stressed out. I don't have any preconceived ideas that any of the harvests will be routine or similar in any fashion. This harvest seemed more exhausting and quite a bit more stressful than the previous ones.
The growing season of 2010 was cool with lots of fog until noon most days. People became very concerned about mildew, mold and ripening the fruit. Many but not all farmers made changes to how they farmed. People did leaf thinning to expose the fruit to the sun and prevent mold. Some dropped fruit in hopes of veraison not being delayed any longer. It was hard to make the call. That was tough enough but then we had a huge heat spike, in the 110+ range in Dry Creek, that caused some ciaos. As Kerry was explaining to people, the grapes didn't have their sun tan or it was like exposing a baby's bottom to the tropical sun. They JUST weren't ready for it. No one realized the damage until about a week later. Many grape clusters were damaged and lost due to the heat/sun-they just collapsed. Such an ugly sight to see. There was great debate on what to do as this was a situation not seen by the growers or winemakers. Kerry worked closely with our growers on how to handle the situation as we all had one thing in mind-quality fruit and not just any fruit. Decisions were made on leaving the raisin clusters on the vines so it didn't screw up the growing cycle of the vines. Dead clusters were dropped a day before the pick and pickers were paid by the hour and not per ton so they focused on Kerry's direction. Kerry went through many vineyards vine by vine and instructed them what to pick. It took about 5 times longer for the pick but we had no choice.
We are lucky as a winery because our growers, winemaker and us work closely together. Not everyone had that mind frame and who could blame them as growers lost a lot of revenue. For us, I can say the quantity was down but quality ROCKED. Kerry kept saying as the fruit rolled into our crush pad, "the flavors are incredible, or this is the best fruit they have ever brought us...". I'm proud of the growers and Kerry for all the effort they put in during the harvest-it made all the difference in crafting outstanding wines for the 2010 vintage.
The growing season of 2010 was cool with lots of fog until noon most days. People became very concerned about mildew, mold and ripening the fruit. Many but not all farmers made changes to how they farmed. People did leaf thinning to expose the fruit to the sun and prevent mold. Some dropped fruit in hopes of veraison not being delayed any longer. It was hard to make the call. That was tough enough but then we had a huge heat spike, in the 110+ range in Dry Creek, that caused some ciaos. As Kerry was explaining to people, the grapes didn't have their sun tan or it was like exposing a baby's bottom to the tropical sun. They JUST weren't ready for it. No one realized the damage until about a week later. Many grape clusters were damaged and lost due to the heat/sun-they just collapsed. Such an ugly sight to see. There was great debate on what to do as this was a situation not seen by the growers or winemakers. Kerry worked closely with our growers on how to handle the situation as we all had one thing in mind-quality fruit and not just any fruit. Decisions were made on leaving the raisin clusters on the vines so it didn't screw up the growing cycle of the vines. Dead clusters were dropped a day before the pick and pickers were paid by the hour and not per ton so they focused on Kerry's direction. Kerry went through many vineyards vine by vine and instructed them what to pick. It took about 5 times longer for the pick but we had no choice.
We are lucky as a winery because our growers, winemaker and us work closely together. Not everyone had that mind frame and who could blame them as growers lost a lot of revenue. For us, I can say the quantity was down but quality ROCKED. Kerry kept saying as the fruit rolled into our crush pad, "the flavors are incredible, or this is the best fruit they have ever brought us...". I'm proud of the growers and Kerry for all the effort they put in during the harvest-it made all the difference in crafting outstanding wines for the 2010 vintage.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Childhood Habits Turn Useful
As I walked the vineyard with Dutchess this morning and sampled grapes, I couldn't help but laugh at how my early childhood habits have become good characteristics to have in this business. Just to set the tone and give you a picture, my mom was great and the family was a priority for her. She made snacks , packed lunches and cooked well balanced meals every single day as part of her routine to nourish the family and develop good life long eating habits in her children. My brothers were her easy children-loved milk, fruits and veggies and never complained about texture/flavor issues of the food. I, on the other hand, was the challenge child for my Mom. I definitely had my opinions about food but I always had to eat what was fixed and try everything that was served for the meal. Good habits developed as we could eat at friends homes and choke down horrible foods and ones we didn't like so we didn't offend our hosts.
So, the back ground of meal expectations has been set and now I can explain my issue with grapes. Great food for young kids as you can cut them in half and they become non choking finger foods as we learn how to feed ourselves. I was OK with that but the skins were tough to chew with a bitter taste and that was the beginning. I began just to eat the pulp and leave the skins as one does with a baked potato. So Mom started to purchase different kinds of grapes (not many options in the Midwest in the 70s). The green ones tasted too tart for me most of the time. The reds ones had no taste/flavor in my opinion. Some had seeds which I didn't want to eat. I could go on and on. My mom mixed them with chicken salad, in fruit salad, roasted them with pork as a few of the examples. I couldn't stand under ripe ones and the ones with dimpling were just as bad to me. Basically, I thought a grape was pointless as it had no flavor but they were great projectiles in the school lunch room.
Who would have foreseen the fact that my pickiness was a precursor for my future. I love walking the vines to sample the grapes, check sugars and flavors. I actually chew the skins as it is where the flavors reside and the seeds no longer scare me. I don't like chewing the green under ripe ones(but I need to know the color and texture of the seeds) but it's good to bite down on the brown crunchy ones as that means they're ripe. Being picky about flavors as a kid has become a strength for me now. My palate is a much needed tool for my life. Thanks Mom and Dad for letting me voice my opinions as it allowed me to stay curious in what I was tasting. Who knew that was the precursor for my life. I'm sure my folks never dreamed that I would some day be a farmer - let alone a grape farmer. I guess when people ask about the start of my career, I should say it began in the 70s. I would love to point out to my Mom that I wasn't a picky kid, just a future vintner in the making but I don't think she would find it too funny.
So, the back ground of meal expectations has been set and now I can explain my issue with grapes. Great food for young kids as you can cut them in half and they become non choking finger foods as we learn how to feed ourselves. I was OK with that but the skins were tough to chew with a bitter taste and that was the beginning. I began just to eat the pulp and leave the skins as one does with a baked potato. So Mom started to purchase different kinds of grapes (not many options in the Midwest in the 70s). The green ones tasted too tart for me most of the time. The reds ones had no taste/flavor in my opinion. Some had seeds which I didn't want to eat. I could go on and on. My mom mixed them with chicken salad, in fruit salad, roasted them with pork as a few of the examples. I couldn't stand under ripe ones and the ones with dimpling were just as bad to me. Basically, I thought a grape was pointless as it had no flavor but they were great projectiles in the school lunch room.
Who would have foreseen the fact that my pickiness was a precursor for my future. I love walking the vines to sample the grapes, check sugars and flavors. I actually chew the skins as it is where the flavors reside and the seeds no longer scare me. I don't like chewing the green under ripe ones(but I need to know the color and texture of the seeds) but it's good to bite down on the brown crunchy ones as that means they're ripe. Being picky about flavors as a kid has become a strength for me now. My palate is a much needed tool for my life. Thanks Mom and Dad for letting me voice my opinions as it allowed me to stay curious in what I was tasting. Who knew that was the precursor for my life. I'm sure my folks never dreamed that I would some day be a farmer - let alone a grape farmer. I guess when people ask about the start of my career, I should say it began in the 70s. I would love to point out to my Mom that I wasn't a picky kid, just a future vintner in the making but I don't think she would find it too funny.
Monday, September 6, 2010
The call has been made-We Pick Friday!
I was just informed by my Head Winemaker, Kerry Damskey that the first fruit of the 2010 Harvest will be brought in on Friday morning 9/10/2010! I am like a kid at Christmas with the anticipation. The Brix at the moment are 22.8 for the Sauvignon Blanc and 25 for the Viognier. The crew will be out early-around 630am for those who want to watch. Should be a fun time at the winery that day.
Stay tuned for pics and videos of the pick and beginning of crush!
Stay tuned for pics and videos of the pick and beginning of crush!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Dutchess takes a second look at the dropped fruit
All weekend the crews were out in Dutcher Crossing vineyard and Dutchess was been a bit irritated. I'm not really sure if she was confused thinking we already dropped fruit so what the heck were they doing. She understands routines and this year, our routine changed due to the weather and the farming adjustments. She just surveyed the grapes this morning as usually the second time she sees red grapes in between the rows that are sweet and Mom is pulling her away so she doesn't eat them. She always likes the game of stealing a ripe cluster and running around while I try to chase her. I didn't chase her and the grapes didn't taste so sweet and she quickly dropped the fruit with a confused expression.Sorry Dutchess but by the looks and taste of things, it's going to be several weeks before we can play steal the cluster game. Hopefully harvest will start in 2 weeks in our Sauvignon Blanc block.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
DCW Crew Visits Taylor Vineyard
The Taylor Reserve Cabernet is one of our flag ship Cabernets at Dutcher Crossing. That being said, the crew needs to have a great understanding of what makes it special to Kerry and I. I absolutely adore that vineyard, the owners and the wine produced from their grapes. Both the vineyard owners and us are so commit ed to each other that we agreed to graft over some vines so our production could increase over the years. Have to love that commitment to each other.
My staff will have a great time but I haven't told the ones who will sit in the back of the pick up my first visit story. Probably a good thing too. Pat told me to watch the tailgate as it could open and I chose to ignore it as who would put us there if it was an issue. Well, people should heed Pat's warning. As we were climbing the steep hill, the tail gate opened and out I tumbled! Ran to catch up to truck and knocked on drivers window to have him stop. Was just the start of an interesting day as I finished the day in Pat's Port cellar. You can only imagine tasting through all his ports!
So my advise to the crew is listen when Pat's says watch the tailgate (I've heard it hasn't been fixed) and wear your running shoes! I hope they have a great time and Pat doesn't loss any of them on the hill.
My staff will have a great time but I haven't told the ones who will sit in the back of the pick up my first visit story. Probably a good thing too. Pat told me to watch the tailgate as it could open and I chose to ignore it as who would put us there if it was an issue. Well, people should heed Pat's warning. As we were climbing the steep hill, the tail gate opened and out I tumbled! Ran to catch up to truck and knocked on drivers window to have him stop. Was just the start of an interesting day as I finished the day in Pat's Port cellar. You can only imagine tasting through all his ports!
So my advise to the crew is listen when Pat's says watch the tailgate (I've heard it hasn't been fixed) and wear your running shoes! I hope they have a great time and Pat doesn't loss any of them on the hill.
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