I get by with a little help from….

…my friends.

This harvest has been a little nutty– a bit like 2007 on steriods.  Whereas last year we received one week of really intense heat at the end of August which brought in the Pinot, Zinfandel, and Carignane, this year we received two.  Then, like last year, we had almost three weeks of high-70’s weather with foggy nights, which has thankfully extended the ripening curve of Syrah and Cabernet.  Yesterday, we brought in Hudson Syrah– just under two tons of Alban clone and just over one ton of Noir.  We also welcomed Glenlyon Vineyard and and Kick Ranch clone 470.  Today, all three clones of Old Lakeville Vineyard come in.

By we, I mean myself and those individuals who have thankfully offered to lend a hand around the cellar.  So, some thanks are needed:

First off, long time blog reader and participant Eric Hansen, who helped with the first bottling and has volunteered his Wednesday to the vinous quackery of Bedrock Wine Co.

Second, to my wonderful winery-wench girlfriend, Jen, who has cast of studying for the LSAT probably more times than she should to come up and work.

And third, to my great friend Chris Cottrel, who wriggled his way out of his Fine and Rare Wine Buyer position at Crush Wine in Manhattan to spend a couple weeks getting his hands dirty.  Yesterday, he was introduced to the true 16 hour harvest day– the one where you wake up at 5:30 to get fruit, crush and two locations, then do manual basket pressing and clean-up until 10:30 at night.

Below are a few pictures of harvest so far, at Wildcat Mountain, and getting sloppy in “the cellar.”

Jimmy Lloyd, Chris Cottrel, and The Bear.

Yeah, we are having some fun,