Wes Steffens at 7&8 is still picking some small blocks of Cabernet and will probably finish later this week. He’s really pleased with the quality. Nancy Walker from Schoolhouse reports that they’re finished and while the crop was much lighter, she is grateful the quality is so wonderful. Ron Rosenbrand at Spring Mountain Vineyard reports that they have been waiting for their vines to mature and re-started harvesting last week. They’ll be going strong for several weeks and so far the vines look good and they’re happy with the quality. Frank Schaefer next door at York Creek Vineyards reports also that their grapes are coming in looking good, with good flavors and a good crop. Matt Sherwin reports that Sherwin has finished with Merlot, is 15% through with their Cabernet and hasn’t started with Cab Franc yet: he’s also happy with the quality. Pam Bergman at Bergman Family Vineyards has one more overnight harvesting session to go and she’s really happy with the quality: the berries are small with an excellent concentration of flavors.

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