Harvest approaches and our fruit is ahead of where it was in 2012, due to the warm dry winter and spring. Our growers (Stan at Devoto Gardens for our Pinot Noir, and Jon at Inspiration Vineyard for our Chardonnay) scrambled to irrigate during mid July heat that reached the 90s. But it has since cooled off and things are slowing; we'll see what September brings!
Devoto Gardens: clone 667 at left (planted 2009), clone 828 at right (planted 2006). Note characteristic verticality of the 828.
Veraison at about 70-80% in the 667 block (and the 115 block, also a young canopy) two weeks back; not as far along in the 828.
Exposed (southern) side of the Chardonnay at Inspiration, carrying more protective leaves. Quadrilateral training, harder to stay on top of what's going on inside the canopy, but Jon has rot and mildew well in check. Putting veraison at 70% as of two weeks back.
Will be asking Jon to drop fruit on these shorter shoots, which is unlikely to fully ripen.
