Harvest 2006

In a word, superb! The 2006 growing season gave us excellent bloom in the spring, superior fruit set and yields that, on average, were above normal and of outstanding quality. Our 2006 harvest points to an excellent vintage that experienced nearly perfect growing conditions. The finish to the year could not have been better scripted.

A warm and dry summer allowed our Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris to ripen ahead of the so-called "norm." However, we’re not sure what normal is any more! These conditions included plenty of heat and a dry spell lasting more than 80 days. Unlike the conditions of Harvest 2005, in mid-September we received a few days of rain that provided a nature’s special shot of moisture to finish the growing season that concluded with a final string of 80-degree days and cool nights in the final two weeks. Picture-perfect Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris weather!

Row-by-row Commitment to Quality

We harvested our Estate Pinot Noir in two picks after carefully monitoring the flavors of the fruit and pace of ripening. We dropped fruit aggressively in two passes during the growing season and our Estate vineyard yielded about 2.3 tons to the acre — a level that we carefully controlled to maximize the quality of the fruit.

Cluster sizes were larger and denser than average and our staged approach to picking called for row-by-row selection of fruit picked on September 18 and ten days later on September 28. This careful row-by-row attention to flavors and fruit maturity is an example of our extreme commitment to quality and producing the finest Pinot Noir possible.

Pinot Gris

Our outstanding ANA Vineyard Pinot Gris was harvested on October 1. Vines more than 20 years old produced some the most flavorful fruit yet and the quality of this fruit was breathtaking!

Thank You Mother Nature!

Nature dealt us an outstanding growing season and 2006 truly holds the promise of some phenomenal wines. We’re anxious to see how this beautiful vintage develops in the barrel and matures into excellent wines to be enjoyed for many years to come.