"Before this last heatwave, we had a completely different crop out there."
Harvest at Ehlers Estate. Tuning in to my internal clock of fear and fright, I awake at 3 am. About an hour and a half before I need to get up. I set the alarm again, this time for 4:30 am. Tossing and turning like a fish out of water for the next 45 minutes I resign myself to an early start. I launch myself out of bed, and say under my breath, “Harvest.” It’s humbling. I am not an early riser. I know how difficult it is for me to get up at this hour. I think about the people working at this time every day for weeks on end.
Ehlers Estate grows organic Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
I thrive after dark. The magic hour when the sun sets and the birds are getting settled. Content to enjoy the comfort of my warm bed, it’s got to be something extraordinary to rouse me at this hour. Harvest is not only exciting, it’s invigorating to be in the vineyards with those who are the creators of great wine.
“In three days the world changed in the valley.”
Walking out the door at 5:15 am, I am fully loaded. Gear on my back, four shots of fortifying espresso and a spring in my step. I am heading up valley. When I say up valley, it means north towards Calistoga. This time to St. Helena‘s Ehlers Estate. The roads are dark, but as travel up Highway 29, I am shocked by the number of cars on the road. The traffic is mind-blowing. Uniform in our direction, 90% of the vehicles on the road are heading north with me.
“The 2017 vintage will have a very distinctive characteristic.”
The air is thick. The clouds opaque. The moon struggles to break through the sky, teasing with a game of hide and seek. For a brief moment, it shines then evaporates like a glass of water in the Sahara. Content with hiding, the moon illuminates the vineyards from the veil of a dull sky.
Arriving at my destination, I pull into the empty parking lot. There are only a few cars in the area, all I assume those who are already hard at work in the vineyards. Parked, I exit the vehicle and shiver. It’s not cold. Far from it. It’s eerily quiet, and I panic. Perched in the front of the winery (built in 1854), I’m a little spooked. Completely without reason. Even so, I lock the car doors (like that can protect me from whatever I’m afraid of). Feeling a little childish I call winemaker and GM, Kevin Morrisey. He’s there in a flash and the next thing I know we are walking in the vineyard. Today’s harvest is of Merlot.
“We started picking at 3:00 am, now it’s almost 7 am. Four hours, nine tons.”
It’s perplexing, this season. Coming out of the devastating drought that ended in early 2017, the weather in Napa Valley had been textbook perfect for winemaking. Kevin describes the harvest of the Sauvignon Blanc. “We picked it about two weeks ago. It was before the heat. It was a big beautiful crop. Fresh flavors, really great acids. It’s going to be another terrific year for Sauvignon Blanc.” It’s already fermenting in steel tanks inside the winery. The aromatic scents of tropical fruit coming from the tanks surround the winery. Addressing the heat, Morrisey says “The heatwave was historic. Nobody’s been through that here. It’s not normal. Those berries are black. Imagine you’re dressed all in black, with a black hat, sitting in the sun all day with no breeze at 114 degrees. It started out to be a great harvest, and we lost a lot of juice.”
“There are a lot of people who work hard every day and they don’t make anything.”
The people out in the vineyard have a vested interest. Unique in the valley, the people picking fruit are employees of Ehlers Estate. Not migrant workers. Involved in this process from the beginning they take great pride in the vines. Harvest is a sign of their accomplishments. Working furious & fast in the interest of time, they sing a bit and shout encouragement. The speed at which they fill the baskets is awe striking. They are the guardians of these vines, this vineyard.
I walk the dark rows between the vines filming, the headlamps shine on the black, blue skins of the bunches. The process is fast due to the advance trimming of leaves taking place just before the harvest. This efficiency allows a team of perhaps 20 to pick a whopping 8 tons of grapes in just four hours. It all takes place in the shadow of the moon.
Harvest in 2017 has had all kinds of twists and turns due to the heat. This latest plot twist leaves question on how this vintage will turn out. Morrisey says that this will be a year of recognition. There is no mystery that 2017 was a landmark year. The question is how well the grapes withstood the intense heat. The hope is that it’s reflected positively in the wine. EhlersEstate.com
Bouchaine Winery is the spot to discover great Burgundian varieties made in Napa Valley’s Carneros region. Modern winery meets social hour. Bouchaine Vineyards tasting room
Somm Foundation Receives $25,000 in Support Pouring of Chateau Montelena’s stunning 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Over 200 people descended on Napa Valley’s Meritage Resort & Spa
Sojourn to the apex of Napa Valley with Theorem Vineyards. Adventuring up to Calistoga offers a wide array of wine riches including some boutique & family-owned small lot wineries.
Decadent, delicious and luxurious. Chocolate made for pure indulgence and a very special offer for you. (Link in bio)
Picture this. When Chardonnay grapes are harvested and pressed for juice, the remains are a mix of nutrient-rich by-products which, to date, have been going to-at best, compost--at worst, to waste.
Winemakers focused on eliminating waste discovered the taste attributes of Chardonnay grapes work in symphony with dark chocolate. Specifically by adding both brightness and a natural sweetness which utterly complements and tempers the dark chocolate's bitter notes.
The results are incredible. Smooth taste, a decadent creaminess and flavor that is so remarkable you'll be coming back for more. Science endorses dark chocolate as a potent antioxidant.
Enter @vinetobar. A delicious way to celebrate chocolate, sustainability and wine.
Delightfully designed to be unique in the realm of chocolate, it stands alone in its ability to pair perfectly with wine.
Whether it's Valentine's Day with someone special, a night out with your favorite friends, or a relaxing afternoon, indulge! Vine to Bar will take you and your palate
to new heights. (Link in bio)
Even better? My followers can get 10% off any @vinetobar
purchase through February 28, 2022. Use the code: VinetoBar8
#VinetoBar #VineToBarValentines #VineToBarGalentines
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I’m pairing this beautiful sunset with a crazy good Sangiovese by @bibigraetz
Casa Matta means ‘crazy house’ which seems very fitting after this wild week.
This Tuscan beauty is a lovely sip with a bounty of red vibrant fruit and an affordable price. Beautifully understated Sangiovese with all the best Sangio attributes.
Love the bright taste and the easy on the pocketbook price. $20
This is how you kick off the weekend!
What are you ‘getting into’ this weekend?!
#TheWineSiren
#Tuscany #winelover #Winecountry #sunsetphotography
2017 Adams Blend from @canardvineyard . Made with proprietary Left-Bank and Right Bank varieties this beauty captures the best of Napa Valley goodness. It’s hallmark? Cabernet Franc & French Oak.
A nose of violet, black fruit and red berries sets the tone for this luxurious sip.
Lovely soft tannins, a framework of good structure and balance render a sublime state for those enjoying it. And if you love a long decadent finish you are in for a treat.
Drink now or cellar…
Paired with ribeye steak, asparagus, purple sweet potatoes and aioli.
“Fermentation: Cold Soaked 3 days, for a total of 21 days on the skins.
Aging: 19 months in French Oak
(50% New)
Cooperages: Fouquet, Sylvain
Varieties: 91% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.8%”
#TheWineSiren #NapaValley
#winetasting #winewednesday
Angele means messenger of God or Angel in French. To 💋🍷💋#TheWineSiren Angele means a beautiful sign of food, with French influence.
Their wine list has something for everyone. The location is on the Napa River which you know is a favorite viewpoint of mine. The waterfront patio seating is always warm and sheltered.
The food and cocktails are always appealing.
Whether you are a barfly and love a good brunch or looking for a high quality evening out, this is one of my favorite destinations.
I’ve had the luxury of dining on these stunning St. Edwards oysters and enjoying the evening with my lovely friend, @Teresa_
It’s the perfect place to catch up with old friends and new. Celebrating a special occasion or just catching up.
Opened in 2002 by Bettina Rouas, this is a destination to be added to your itinerary, seasoned Napa visitor or not.
@AngeleRestaurant
#TheWIneSiren
@Bistro.Jeanty is a beautiful family-owned restaurant in the heart of #Yountville.
Started by Phillipe Jeanty over 20 years ago, the adventurous menu along with the meticulously prepared food is always a great detour after wine tasting. The dish you see before you is Crême de Tomate en Croute (Tomato soup in puff pastry). It’s bold brilliant flavors are complimented by the flaky decadent crust. Perfect for a cool winter day in Napa Valley. Located in Yountville Bistro Jeanty has both indoor and outdoor seating.
Paired with this stunning dish, a beautifully made Chablis from Bourgogne’s Domaine Vincent Dampt. A perfect accompaniment with so many dishes. Lovely texture, vibrant, great balance and a refreshing finish! Vincent Dampt is a fourth generation winemaker who has worked in both Marlborough New Zealand and at one of my favorite wineries, @olivierleflaive in #Burgundy. He farms organically on 8 hectares and is in the process of getting his HVE Certification (High Environmental Value). Sustainably grown.
#TheWineSiren #bourgogne #chablis #winelover #winetime
#winesyagr #winegeek #winetasting #organicwine #winelovers #foodies #whitewine #thirstythursday #ilovewine #wine #napavalley #napa
Dry Creek Valley has the charm of old Sonoma County, and at the same time the beauty of some of Sonoma’s best wine. @DutcherCrossing continually exemplifies the mastery achieved by proprietor Debra Mathy.
While we all are riding the cool weather wave, there is nothing like robust wine giving its all to a meal or to your pure and utter enjoyment. Dutcher Crossing has achieved this with three luscious examples of beauty.
Starting with the 2017 Brother’s Reserve Zinfandel… A complex and well balanced array of exquisite flavor and the hallmark of a brutal year. Lively and succulent, a vibrancy and complexity that will give this vintage beautiful cellar time, but make you want to imbibe now. A favorite pairing? A rack of lamb . The full bodied beauty stands up to rich dishes!
Next the 2017 Taylor Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Dry Creek Valley. Considered one of the most important wines at Dutcher Crossing the rock hillside the Cabernet Sauvignon vines thrive on brings rich flavor, aroma and tannins. Blended with Syrah, it adds further complexity and softens its rigidity with balance and beauty. Incredible finish and brilliantly vibrant fruit celebrates this exemplary beauty of a Cabernet. And you know I’m pairing that with a big juicy porterhouse!
Finally heading to sweet side of life with this 2014 Zinfandel Port. While it’s ready to sip now, this is one you can cellar and forget as the flavor will only further accentuate it’s promise. Ripe dried and sweet fruit with a bit of oak spice and a burst of vibrancy. I paired this with my tiramisu and couldn’t get enough.
It’s time to get closer to Dutcher Crossing and taste these incredibly exquisite and complex wine. Ready?! Let’s do this!
DutcherCrossingWinery.com
#TheWineSiren #redwine #port #zinfandel #cabernetsauvignon #Sonomacounty #drycreek #californiawine #wineinfluencer #winelover #winetasting #wheretotaste #winery #winerlovers #winedestinations
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