2026 Harvest Recap

While each harvest presents itself with certain challenges, 2026 is most promising.

Cool, wet, and windy bloom conditions in April and May interfered with pollination, dramatically reducing crop size for most of our vineyards. Winemakers LOVE this. Growers DO NOT! A cool Summer normally would prolong ripening and project for a late harvest. Not the case here, as the light crop made for one of the earliest harvests since 1988 - Yikes! I'm showing my age!

We nailed the pick on the Sangiovese - and it's delicious.

Rockpile Cabernet Sauvignon was added at the last minute when Dana said "The Sangio is incredible - why don't we find some Cab and throw a Super Tuscan into the mix?" - brilliant. 

When the opportunity for sourcing a small amount of one hundred sixteen-year old (YES - 116!) Zinfandel from our cousins, the Passalacquas, came up, we jumped at the chance. These exquisite, gnarly old vines produce rock star Zin and is a very special addition to my longstanding history with this varietal - the Boss Grape is hanging in there, despite the carnage in the vineyards. Let's protect our OLD VINES!

As for our Estate Dolcetto....wait for it....we going chillable! This will set the new standard for refrigerator reds and help beat the heat when the temps are on the rise. 

Lastly - a note from both of us -  relationships are everything to us, and the complexity of these challenging times have come with a meaningful poignancy when it comes to our relationships with our growers. As winemakers and growers, ourselves, we have experienced the harsh times on both sides of the coin and have tightened our belts in our earnest efforts to survive. The heartbreak is everpresent, but we hold on to the hope that we can all band together to protect and preserve California's extraordinary Winegrowing and Winemaking legacy until we can all thrive once more.   

Oct 23, 2026 at 12:45 PM Permalink Be the first to comment on this post