Crush for me and my clients ended this past Monday with the last of the fruit coming in.  Harvest goes through the completion of primary fermentation for all my lots, but as of today, this process got a lot easier with the pressing off of the last of the Pinot Noir, Londer Vineyards Valley Foothills lot that makes up part of the Parabol Blend (my largest lot and project).  This allows me to focus, in the next month, on monitoring completion of primary fermentation (sugar –alcohol) and secondary (malic acid – lactic acid acid).

The Anderson Valley fruit this year is back to “normal” after the issues with “smoke taint” last year.  I’m excited by the quality of fruit from a new vineyard from which Londer Estates sourced fruit, Angel’s Camp. 

For my own Calstar Cellars project, I brought in fruit from two new Pinot Noir vineyards, new Sauvignon Blanc and three Chardonnay vineyards, as well as getting fruit off two additional blocks of Sangiacomo Pinot Noir.  This gave me Clones 115, 777 and Swan from the Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard and fruit from Marshall and Vining vineyards in Sonoma County.  I'm excited that all blocks are showing well.  All three Chardonnays are showing well (Sangiacomo Roberts Road, Inspiration Vineyard, and Manchester Ridge Vineyard) and I plan on bottling two vineyard designates and a Sonoma Coast blend from these new acquisitions.  For the Zin lovers, this vintage of Zin is looking great!

Futures for the 2009 Vintage will be made available soon and will be available until March 1, 2010.  Don't miss out!

All of this and now the Holidays are approaching - time for me to work on my leather work (my hobby) for upcoming craft shows, oh, and, take my wife on a date!