Hi to all readers!
It has been a while since I have written. As many of you know I am also the winemaker for Rack and Riddle Custom Wine Services. We have just recently moved the operation from Hopland to Healdsburg. This was a phenomenal task! Very happy to be back to my old stomping grounds and as one of my co-workers said- be able to go out and have a real latte. Yes, Hopland was a little remote, but what was accomplished there was mind boggling.

So back to Coral Mustang. Considering the drought, the last late rain is still keeping the vines running. Timing for harvest is looking average- the crop looking average as well.

This year I will be working with Mercurey Winery in Geyserville working with Tempranillo out of my little vineyard in Asti. Brad and Grady are incredible to work with- Please visit them when you are in the area.

Fun stuff-  My old warehouse found some of my Rose' tucked in the back and brought it back to me. I have decided that this would be great to make........bubbles! I also have some rose in barrel- this will make an incredible bubbly. So stay on the lookout.

Thank you all for hangin' in there with me- there will be good things coming around the corner,
Cheers,
The Mustang Winemaker

Bud Break in the Vineyard!

Seems like I just finished harvest and now I am thinking about it again. The weather has been absolutely beautiful but worrisome. We definitely could use some more rain which everyday seems to loom just off the coast or just to the north or anywhere but here.

But I digress some, it is exciting thinking about the new vintage coming up in those little buds and what will it ultimately bring. Frank finished pruning in January. Cover crop looks good and mowing has been done more than once with this beautiful weather.

In the winery I am getting ready to bottle the first Tres Palmeras wines that will be offered to the wine club members. I love bottling and I hate bottling........love seeing my work come to fruition, hate that this is the last time I will see it- maybe hate is too strong- maybe just sad. But it has too happen and how else can I share the wines if not in a bottle.

Well off we go- another harvest is around the corner!

Penny, The Mustang Winemaker

Harvest 2012!!!

Yesterday was the first day of harvest for the Tres Palmeras Vineyard which is exclusively for Coral Mustang Wines!
This is always exciting and an anxious time. It is exciting to see the work finished, anxiety in how it is going to come out as wine. After two really bad years for grapes, this one looks good. Fruit was pristine- no mold and very little bird damage. There is still one more section to pick for next week, wasn't quite there in the flavor department, but close!


I love these mornings- there was a little fog, 47 F- had to put the big jacket on. Then the fog burned off and the sun came through- beautiful and couldn't have been more perfect.

These grapes are now in a tank cold soaking and waiting to ferment. That will kick in in a couple of days- magic!

The signs of fall are here and I am still trying to figure out where the summer went- days are flying by much too quickly. But to see this accomplishment of harvest makes it easier to see the end of year holidays arriving and to contemplate the approach for the next harvest.

Before I end for the day, I wanted to send out a reminder for the Wine Club- you can sign up on the website. Next month will be the first shipment for the club. This will include at least one bottle of bubbles from my second brand, plus the Reserva that will be exclusive to Wine Club Members only at this time. I also have a few cases of 2006 Rose that will be perfect to match up with your holiday meals. It is not on the website, but you can contact me at penelope@coralmustang.com for more information- not much left and it is yummy!

More to come-
Cheers from the Mustang Winemaker