Click here to listen to a radio postcard produced Rachel McDonald at our local public radio station, KAZU. The piece features Joe Alarid of Tondre Grapefield in the Santa Lucia Highlands, as well as myself and was recorded while we were destemming Tondre Pinot at the winery.

Also, while we are in the audio mode, check out Grape Radio’s “2007 World of Pinot, Part 2″ piece, which includes Ken Zinns, Dan Tudor and myself.

Bottling Recap

Here are some photos of our bottling last week, including a view of the bottling truck, and an empty tanks, which is always a welcome sight during bottling….

Harvest

Harvest is moving somewhat slowly for us here in Monterey. I know they’ve been going hog wild up north and down south, but we are relatively quiet here, given it is September 19. Fruit quality looks good, though, and we have brought in some fruit: Cedar Lane Sauvignon Blanc (tasty!), Chula Vina Chardonnay, and Tondre Grapefield Pinot.

Our Totem Pole tank likes Chardonnay, and here is a view of our presses squeezing away at Sauvignon Blanc.

Where’s That Wascally Wabbit?
These two are so happy because harvest is almost here. They don’t particularly care about Brix or the quality of tannins in grape skins. I can assure you that only three things are on their mind: riding in the car with me, having the opportunity to find some nasty thing to eat while out and about, and most importantly, the chance that harvest time brings to chase — and catch — jack rabbits in the vineyard. Yes, these two may look unassuming and downright harmless, but together they are sublime jack rabbit chasers and faster than you might think — far more efficient than Elmer Fudd ever was. And much like Mr. Fudd, they don’t know quite what to do once they catch the rabbit, but that’s OK with me and probably with the rabbit, too.

Harvest is almost upon us

It’s a pretty amazing fact that we haven’t started harvest yet. There are some grapes being harvested in Monterey, and I’m seeing (and smelling) onions being harvested, and also lettuce, and broccoli. The artichokes above are past their prime, but I took that photo so you can see the haze of smoke from the fire near San Jose that has been hanging over the Salinas Valley on and off for a week. Not one grape has entered this facility. It’s amazing because most every other area in California is in full picking mode (a friend at Sonoma-Cutrer says they are halfway done already — and it’s not even the middle of September!). We are bottling the remaining 2006 wines tomorrow, and will also bring our first load of Sauvignon Blanc in tomorrow as well — it will be interesting to see how that works out. Crops are definitely small this year, quality is looking great, and it looks like everything will come in at once.

Speaking of Bottling…
James, Mark and I have been finishing our 2006 Pinots and here’s a view of wine that most don’t see…..this photo was taken as we were just emptying our last tank.