With the exception of Matt Gardner at Keenan picking Chardonnay, it’s all quiet on Spring Mountain. Last week many of us were hoping we’d be harvesting by last Friday, Sept. 15, but Mother Nature had other ideas.

While the cool weather is wonderful for most of us, our grapes want and need more sunshine and warmth. Most of us are now hoping to start by the end of this current week, Friday, Sept. 22 — but that’s exactly what I said last week. Hope springs eternal.

Written by Stuart Smith, Smith-Madrone Winery, published in Napa Valley Register