Winemaker Wisdom: Learn Why Patience Is A Virtue & Watch Barrel Stirring

Worrisome rain last week has yielded to wonderful Indian Summer conditions. Fortunately, the rain did not cause any damage to any of our blocks, it was very light and the moisture quickly disappeared into the soil. The remainder of the week was warm, sunny and very dry. These conditions try a winemakers patience as we want to pick, but the weather being so nice it seems it would be a huge mistake to not get more hang time. Consequently, harvesting decisions were put off until this week. We did complete harvest in Schweizer Vineyard by harvesting block 6 (erroneously written as 7 in last week’s update) as well as both Garvey Home Ranch, blocks 1 and 2.

In the cellar Petit Verdot was drained and pressed and we are waiting for it to finish alcoholic fermentation before sending it to barrels. We have our first wine of the vintage: Pinot Noir Rose has completed fermentation and will now begin the aging process. Hyde vineyard Chardonnay has been confirmed alcoholic fermentation complete and will begin malolactic fermentation (aka mlf). Pinot Noir continues mlf.

Looking ahead to this week: we are completing Garvey harvest by picking block 3. The National Weather Service has eliminated the possibility for precipitation formerly on for Wednesday and replaced it with sunny weather for the week with highs in the low to mid 70’s (10 degrees cooler than normal). Though temperatures will be very nice, we will keep an eye on humidity as low humidity leads to dehydration and consequently hurried picking decisions.

– Mira Winemaker Gustavo Gonzalez

What in the world is barrel stirring? Watch and learn from Gustavo!