The Sauvignon Blanc harvest began on August 12^th, which was only two days later than the very early 2007 harvest.  It took three weeks to harvest 1/3 of our Sauvignon Blanc grapes.  This was followed by a ten day heat spell, during which we picked the remaining 2/3 that was left on the vine. 

At the same time, due to the heat, the Cabernet Sauvignon sugars began to escalate.  Kristin thought that this might speed up the harvest and was concerned about running out of tank space. But instead, the weather cooled off, allowing the Cabernet Sauvignon to remain on the vines for a few more weeks while the Sauvignon Blanc underwent fermentation and was moved out of the tanks to make way for the Cabernet. After the first round of tastings she says the Sauvignon Blanc is delicious! 

By October 10^th, Kristin was lamenting “I've told the cellar crew six different stories about when we will be done, everyone has had days off and half the Cabernet is still on the vine and it could get almost to freezing tomorrow night.  What drama! The first half of the Cabernet is done with primary fermentation and is still on the skins, developing some really nice structure.”

Finally, on October 20^th, after a lot of uncertainty, unlimited patience and being subjected to the mercy of Mother Nature, we harvested the last Cabernet grapes. It was worth the wait.  According to Kristin, “The Cabernets are looking really good, with nice tannin structure, and rich fruit aromas and flavors.  Having the Cabernet come in over a long period of time has been allowing us to have long maceration times (more waiting), which has enhanced the flavors and structure”. 


Now that the harvest is complete, the good news is that we will be able to enjoy the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc next spring.  Could it possibly be even better than the 2007?  We shall see…

The bad news is that we won’t be able to enjoy the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon until the fall of 2010.  After playing hard to get during harvest, now it will play hard to get again as it ages.  As they say, the best things in life are worth waiting for (and patience is a virtue). 

While I wait, I’ll continue to enjoy the recently released 2006 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon, which is elegant while opulent and an explosion of black fruit flavors with soft, ripe tannins.  I have yet to taste the 2007 which was another extremely promising harvest in Napa Valley.  And even with all we went through in 2008, we have been blessed with another magnificent (yet random) harvest. 

Cheers!!!

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