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Another crazy year for wine- a year that was so cool that many didn't think that there would be a harvest. But when all is said and done, the wines are coming out very nice in spite of low sugars and lots of mold. I felt that we had a pre-run harvest last year having to deal with many of the same issues, so this year I was prepped with lots of information and methods to work with this years fruit.
The one big difference this year was when the rains came, much of the fruit was sound enough to make it through. The Tres Palmeras vineyard was one of them. Last year we had to give up on the fruit. This year was very low yielding, but at least I was able to get some fruit for all the labors of the year and it is tasting yummy! This vineyard designate will be going into a limited bottling for wine club only, so I am very excited.
Speaking of wine club- will start Jan 1st- watch the website- www.coralmustang.com for details. This has been a long time coming!
So on with planning for next year- cleaning up the vineyard, pruning, getting the wine finished with malolactic ferm and bottling up sparkling wine- yes, there may be something new coming to Coral Mustang......stay tuned-
The Mustang Winemaker
I thought last year was a challenge.......it is the first week of June and the vineyard barely has started blooming. That means that we are more than a month behind average- Yikes!! I have been out in the vineyard- when it is not pouring down rain- taking the risk of thinning as I am suckering. Anything looking wimpy goes.
Not only has it been raining but it has been cold as well. Feet of snow in the mountains, not inches. I've had to turn the heat on in my house and it is JUNE- I think- maybe this is some kind of time warp. I have Crape Myrtles in my yard that are changing color because it has been so cold- looks like fall out there.
Well that's what farming is, one big challenge. Nothing we can do but marvel at Mother Nature reminding us again who is in control.
Aside from the weather and the vineyard- TAPAS Grand Tasting in San Francisco tomorrow beginning at 2p- Ft Mason, Herbst Pavilion. This is one of the best events around and I am proud to be a part of this group. If you want to taste Tempranillo, this is the place you want to be. Wine can be bought at this event as well so you can stock up your cellar with the best Tempranillos around. Stop by and say hello and taste the 2004 and 2005 that I will be pouring along with special pricing for the event.
Well I wanted to add some pics to this entry, but there has not been much time between raindrops. But I would like to talk about what Frank has been up to. Three weeks ago he took of on his Harley headed with a group to ride to Washington DC for Memorial Day- Run for the Wall or RFTW. With him, he carried a placard for a soldier that had died in Vietnam. The Sunday before Memorial Day he placed it by the soldiers name- quite a special moment for him and a very special trip. I will be coming up with a way to log his daily journal either on the website or a link as it really touched me.
That's all for now- pics next time- I promise!
