Harvest Blog - October 7th

We’re heading into the home stretch of the 2022 harvest as we push to bring in the last grapes over the next week or so. As Juan Jo wrote last week, we’ve harvested the final blocks of Chardonnay (Wente clone) from the Lone Oak Vineyard and the juice is fermenting nicely – and aromatically! - in new French oak barrels. We did our second pick of Sauvignon Blanc for Smith & Hook last week as well. These are the grapes we pick at higher sugars and lower acids, to be combined, eventually, with our earlier pick of Sauvignon Blanc with lower sugars and higher acids. Both lots are coming along nicely and I can’t wait to start the blending trials which bring these wines together.

Today will be a big day as we pick Syrah and the first Grenache from Hook Vineyard, a sure sign that harvest is nearing completion. We’ll also pick the Riesling from Hook; we planted three acres of the variety several years ago and this is our second harvest. Because we have such a small quantity, we’ll bottle it exclusively for club members and guests.

October has brought with it typical fall weather in Monterey County, with long, cool, foggy mornings, sunny afternoons and cool evenings and nights. There’s just enough heat to ripen the few remaining grapes we have out there, and we’ll be happy when they’re safely in the winery. Another sure sign that harvest is nearly over is that our 2022 Harvest Celebration is within sight. I hope we’ll see lots of club members at the event, which takes place Saturday October 22nd from 11 AM – 3 PM at the Hahn Estate Vineyard House Lawn. There will be food, live music, barrel tastings and of course plenty of wines to try as we mingle and celebrate another successful vintage together. Join us!

Megan Conatser
Winemaker