Protective netting around the vines, the sounds of gunshots or recorded sounds of birds of prey are just 3 ways we saw wine grape growers naturally (here are links describing other sustainable farming methods our’s and other vineyards use) protecting their precious crop this time of year. Birds know when the grapes are ripe and a flock of starlings can clean a large vineyard out in a matter of hours–yikes! At Lauterbach vineyards, recording devices playing the calls of raptors and starlings in distress are utilized to protect the grapes from birds. Mr. Lauterbach says they have not had any significant grape loss to birds since they were first installed. The sound boxes, strategically placed around the vineyard, are doing their job quite efficiently. They are hardly noticeable, require very little effort or energy and are pleasing to the ear. Above you can view a short video (sorry for the amateur nature) of these in Lauterbach vineyard
On a related note, I recently visited the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek with an old friend from high school and our kids. They have a fabulous collection of live raptors that have been injured in the wild and brought there for rehabilitation and display–these birds are truly incredible to see close up. It would be great to have live raptors that we could count on to completely protect the vineyards…but, alas, we are happy with the very cool sound boxes in Lauterbach Vineyards that are doing their job.
The vineyards in the Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros from which we source fruit look beautiful and the weather has been perfect these last weeks with cool nights and warm days. Earlier this week we visited each vineyard and brought along our handheld refractometer to measure the Brix levels of the grapes. The refractometer looks similar to a small telescope. There is a small glass plate that flips out onto which you place a sample of juice by squishing above it a grape freshly plucked from the vine. Then you hold it to the sun and the light traveling through the sample in the refractometer is reflected (refracted?) in such a way that a line shadow is formed separating a dark area from a light area. It is here at the shadow line that the reading is taken.
Our measurements at Lauterbach Vineyard in the Russian River Valley were about 20.5 Brix. Beresini Vineyard Brix level, in Carneros, is slightly behind at 20.2 Brix. Corona Creek Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, is farther behind, as expected, at around 17 Brix. We shoot to harvest at 24.5 Brix and Lauterbach Vineyard in the RRV will probably be our first grapes to be harvested and brought into the winery in approxiately 2-3 weeks.
For the winemaker, this time of year is not only about preparing the winery for harvest but also about making blending and bottling decisions for the previous vintage. Friday we had the pleasure of evaluating the progress of our 2008 Lone Oak and Split Rock Pinot Noir. We compared the influences of the different barrels (new oak vs. neutral oak) and different clones that go into each. We blended different ratios of new oak to neutral oak and different clonal combinations (more on clones) to bring out the aromas, flavors and complexity we are looking for.
We swirled, sniffed, tasted, gargled and spit our way through the morning. Our consulting winemaker is extremely knowledgeable of the different Pinot Noir clones and helped guide us as we blended, tasted and tweaked glass after glass.
In general, we strive for well-balanced, food-friendly wines that express the fruit and floral notes typical of the varietal and the vineyard from which it comes. Combining different Pinot Noir clones from the same vineyard brings complexity and intrigue to the wine. Certain clones help provide incredible aromatics, some lend a note of creaminess while others provide structure. When tasted side by side, it became evident to me that a single clone, in contrast to a blend, can appear one dimensional. Creating the right blend, though hard work , was a great learning experience and critical to creating an exceptional wine.
In addition, we also made some bottling decisions. We will bottle the Lone Oak this month. The Split Rock we will hold in barrel until after the 2009 harvest is complete and bottle in November. Stay tuned for their release soon after that.
We’re moving into our new space in preparation for this year’s harvest. After some logistical juggling among us, Joseph Phelps, A Donkey and Goat, JC Cellars, craigslist delivery truck drivers and a little faith, our fermentation bins, barrels and barrel racks have all arrived safely and are ready for action. After finalizing our last vineyard contract for some Russian River fruit and obtaining a few more items: refractometer, punch down tool, yeast, bungs and help (to name a few) we’ll be ready to roll. Russian River, Carneros and Sonoma Coast Pinots are typically harvested mid to late-September but it all depends on the weather during the next several weeks. Can’t wait! In the meantime, our 2008 Pinot also needs our attention…more to come on that…
Stomping Girl fermentation bins waiting for grapes
, was a great learning experience and critical to creating an exceptional wine. 
