gettin funky

Normal is not the word to describe this years growing season so far.  First, we had a cool spring which inhibited much in the way of early shoot growth.  Then a frost in the middle of it which nailed a whole bunch of people.  Then, high heat and fast bloom.  And in the middle of bloom, high winds, just in time to impede good set and ensure really low crop levels– particularly in Merlot and Cabernet.  Then, just as normalcy seemed to be setting in almost a thousand fires erupted up and down the state causing smoke-filled skies.  At this point the whole industry is treading down previously untrodden paths.  In terms of heat accumulation we are ahead of normal, but this of course, has been unlinked with sunlight uptake by the vines due to the charred skies.  Thus, we are not exactly sure how everything is going to turn out.

It could be that lower than average crop levels due to poor set in later ripening varietals like Syrah and Cabernet could be a life-saver in ensuring their ripening.  Lower crop means less fruit to ripen from the same number of leaves.  For instance, at the very cold Wildcat Mountain site we are looking at Syrah yields of 1 ton per acre.  Steve Macrostie is expecting just over 5 tons of fruit from the 5 acres of vines– meaning that after my two contracted tons and Jen and Alex Beloz’s two tons, Steve is going to be left with just 1 ton for himself from his own vineyard.  In comparison, last year the same 5 acres yielded a much more reasonable 3 tons/acre.

It is a similar situation for Cabernet at Monte Rosso and Bedrock, though we might be getting a whopping 2 tons per acre or so instead of 1.

Interestingly, yields seem hardly effected at Old Lakeville and Kick Ranch (though the Sauv. Blanc seems quite low).  Up at Lorenzo’s Vineyard things look as consistent as usual– though perhaps the Zin is a little lighter than normal.

All this merely means that we have no idea what to expect.  The very first signs of veraison (berries turning color) is just starting to show up at Rebecca’s Vineyard and at Lorenzo’s.  Everywhere else, the berries are still green and hard.

My forecast for the year– there will be a lot of variation based on location and farming practices.  Probably a year that will hurt the big guy more than the little guy, as long as ones whole crop has not been lost to frost already.