The past few days have been full of vineyard strolls tasting grapes and evaluating ripeness. It looks as if things are getting ready and we have pegged Monday as the day for our first pick. Muscat will come off of the Hendsbee Vineyard and our own. The flavours are incredible and our kids haven't eaten too much of them yet (Muscat are their favorite) so we look forward to some tasty grapes. We are also looking at Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay this morning from just down the road at Blind Creek Vineyard. We have a designated block of chardonnay there and it tasted great yesterday afternoon in the hot sun but I want to revisit it in the cool of the morning to better evaluate the flavours. They are more true in the morning. The Sauv blanc is most likely good to go as well so it looks as if Monday could be busy here! The forecast is for sun and heat over the weekend and then some rain next week. Lets hope the rain holds off.
Over the next few days we are looking forward to the Fall Wine Festival and more crush preparation. Our time will be spent between looking presentable and smiling as we pour our wines for customers both here at the winery and at events on the weekend and getting wet and dirty as we clean crush equipment. We will be at the Coast Capri's People's Choice Awards in Kelowna on Friday and at Oliver's Festival of the Grape on Sunday.
How bad is a few days of rain at this time of the year? Will it be "neutralized" by a few days of nice weather? Let us know the Brix level when you'll have an update.
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Francois. It really only neutralizes the grapes if we have significant rain. The vines are quite stressed and dry now so a significant rainfall results in roots sucking up water and diluting the grape flavour. Hoping that we don't get that kind of downpour but chances are slim. If it does happen we delay picking and wait for the water to leave the actual grapes. More chemistry results on the grapes tomorrow as we are heading back into the vineyards. Stay tuned!
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