KELSEYVILLE >> Winegrape producers throughout Lake County have completed a harvest yielding berries they say match or exceed the quality of recent years.
Early in the season, vineyard owners and managers reported starting harvest about a week to 10 days earlier than last year due to dry, warm conditions. Growers reported grapes ripening quickly so vineyard crews were charged with picking blocks earlier for nearly all Lake County varietals.
Overall, information about this year”s winegrape crop is positive, Lake County Winegrape Commission President Debra Sommerfield confirmed Monday.
“We have received excellent reports from vineyard managers and winegrape producers across the region who have indicated the grapes are of high quality and that the fruit came through the season without disease or extreme dehydration,” she said. While a few growers noted smaller clusters of berries for some varietals, she noted, they indicated their satisfaction with the crops” flavors.
“The vintage started unseasonably early with a fast pace; the warm season gave way to some cooler weather that slowed things down a bit,” said Samuel Spencer of Madder Lake Vineyard, Clear Lake American Viticulture Appellation (AVA). “Quality looks to be high — our wines are dark and ripe in character. We embarked upon the vintage September 3 and completed our harvest on September 29. The last blocks we picked were Grenache Noir and Tempranillo.”
David Beckstoffer, president and chief operating officer of Beckstoffer Vineyards with Amber Knolls and Crimson Ridge vineyards, both located in the Red Hills–Lake County AVA, said, “It was a fast-ripening crop that led to a compressed harvest season, especially since we are predominantly one variety — Cabernet.”
“The quality of the crop was very good with no fungal pressure or extreme dehydration,” Beckstoffer said. “I expect wines will be excellent due to good flavor intensity in the smaller berries.”
