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July 14, 2021 | Hannah Perry

Wine Geek Wednesday

🍇Time on the Vine and Nature's Variables:🍇

Harvest season is upon us-the moment of the year that all of our efforts and preparations have led up to! Harvesting doesn't happen on an annual day of the year though. Mother Nature decides when the grapes are ready and harvesting varies every year! Typically in July-August the grapes begin to ripen. They transition from small green clusters to colorful bulbous beauties. Witnessing it is as magical as it seems as a grape can change colors dramatically even just over night. Hues of translucent gold and purple-ruby sweep the fields as the grapes bulge into their best selves and then, and only then, are they ready for the picking. Until this moment, we wait for Mother Nature's green light.

So what natural occurrences can happen that define when we harvest?

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JUST ONE SHOT A YEAR TO GET IT RIGHT

Harvesting takes place during a perfect storm. We gauge the overall grape balance of sugars, tannins and acidity and when all of those things align to our desired measurements and when the weather says so, we harvest. Heat waves and rain showers close to harvest time are variables that can influence the outcome of a nearly-ripened grape. Too much heat, they can suffer severe sun damage, too much water, they can swell and get watered down. The crew will be on call to begin harvesting at moments notice, and will work through the night when the time comes.

HOW WE DECIDE WHEN TO HARVEST

LATE & EARLY HARVESTS

Some grapes are picked early or late on purpose. Select early-picked grapes are typically used for some whites and sparkling wines for their high acidity. Other grapes can be picked almost a month later for wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. A late-harvest grape typically is sweeter and less acidic the longer it stays on the vine.