A long overdue post..

...is in order! I apologize to all who have been checking this frequently. Two weeks of 70+ hour weeks caught up with me really quick! This is what everyone was talking about who had ever worked harvest time for a winery. There were those few weeks where everything came together and it was crunch time. We now have about 75% of our grapes crushed and in either bins, tanks or barrels. It is mostly Cabernet grapes that we have left hanging on the vine as they usually take the longest to ripen. They have very thick skins, which is helpful when you have the biggest October storm since 1962 come barreling through the valley! Dumping 5+ inches of rain and with winds up to 40mph, those Cabernet grapes are the most resilient to withstand that type of water consumption without splitting. At least our estate Cabernet fared well, I can't speak for everyone.
The weather for the next week sounds promising with lots of sunshine to dry out the ground and get the grapes back to their previous brix readings before the storm. This may have pushed back our final harvesting dates but there is still plenty of optimism in the air. Overall, the vintage report for 2009 in the valley is being called the smoothest and "easiest" in decades. I will expound upon this topic after I do a little more research into the conditions of the Spring. Steve seems to think that this is going to be a phenomenal year for all of his wines and as I am learning quickly he is quite the optomistic person no matter what the situation. Must be why so many people like this guy and his wines. Of what I have tasted so far, and I have been lucky enough to try some back vintages of his cabernet and Pinot Noir, his wines are consistent from year to year. I had to work during the harvest party that is solely for wine club members and he has some loyal members (like a certain wine shop). They speak so highly of Steve and his wines, I am honored to still be working for the family.
Some of you may have heard already but if you haven't, I was offered a position to stay on with the Reynolds Family and help out with the rest of harvest. I accepted (!) and will be here through the middle of December! I am excited to be able to be a significant part of the 2009 vintage and will keep blogging for everyone to see how winemaking is evolving. I must go to work now but keep checking back frequently for updated pictures and posts, I am on the wagon again! Ciao for now