September brought us record heat over most of California, and included Rosenthal Malibu Estate. Highs in the 100F range are normally not ideal for ripening wine grapes, but the vineyard fared very well. Aside from a small amount of raisining and sunburning of lower leaves, the vines and fruit are fine.
Today we are picking the Viognier and Muscat in the new block 12. We should have close to 200 cases of this wine in the coming year. This is our first vintage and the fruit quality looks fantastic.
Up and down the state, Coastal wine grapes are being picked like mad. The heat pushed all the early varieties into the fully ripe stage, and the later reds should be picked by the end of the month. Our Petit Verdot at RME will be harvested next week.
We now have had three days of very cool, blustery weather , which has actually helped to give the fruit a chance to truly ripen, without having sugar levels get too high.
Until next time,
Corky Roche
Salinas, CA
Corky Roche's website: http://www.rochevineyardconsulting.com
Follow Corky Roche on twitter: http://twitter.com/rovinco
