The Spring Mountain District continues its individualism with the 2021 vintage. Frank Schaefer at York Creek Vineyards says ‘it’s looking great’ with a bumper crop, especially with their Zinfandel and Petite Sirah ‘much higher than the 2019 vintage.’ Yet many of us with Merlot and/or Cabernet Sauvignon are harvesting much smaller crops than normal. However, David Tate at Barnett brushes off the short crop because he is ecstatic about the quality and color extraction from the unusually small berries and low juice yields which we are all seeing.
To the marketing dudes and dudettes, take notice of the short crop. Laura at Newton reports that they’ve finished their Chardonnay and are now moving into their reds. Continuing with this one-size-fits-none vibe, Ron Rosenbrand reports that Spring Mountain Vineyard is still waiting for their grapes to ripen, and yet Keenan, Schweiger and Smith-Madrone will finish this week.
Written by Stuart Smith, Smith-Madrone Winery, published in Napa Valley Register