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Harvest 2009

2009 Napa Valley harvest: it’s a wrap

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Our mid-week harvest update is here. Things have calmed down dramatically in most of the vineyards, with the majority of fruit already picked (or being picked as we write) and in the winery. Here’s the latest (and likely the last) formal update of the season from Smith-Madrone, Piña Napa Valley and Swanson Vineyards… Smith-Madrone Managing [...]

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2009 Napa Valley harvest: ‘the worst Merlot crop ever’?

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This week’s harvest update comes following several days of wet, rainy, windy weather here in the Napa Valley. Read on to learn more about what has been taking place at Piña Napa Valley, Swanson Vineyards and Smith-Madrone. Piña Napa Valley Winemaker Anna Monticelli detailed how the recent rain has impacted the fruit left on the [...]

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2009 Napa Valley harvest: some Cabernet Sauvignon left to weather the storm

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This week’s installment of harvest updates is, predictably, very much focused on Mother Nature. Read-on to learn how Rutherford’s Piña Napa Valley and Spring Mountain’s Smith-Madrone prepared for and are now dealing with the first big winter storm to hit the area. Piña Napa Valley Winemaker Anna Monticelli explained the impact of the recent rainfall [...]

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2009 Napa Valley harvest: an interview with Swanson Vineyards’ winemaker Chris Phelps

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With harvest in full swing and rain pouring from the skies, we were able to track down Chris Phelps, Swanson Vineyards’ winemaker, for a quick interview on a variety of harvest-related topics. Phelps shared details on overall volumes, Swanson’s process for handling the fruit once it’s brought in from the vineyard and what today’s torrential [...]

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2009 Napa Valley harvest: from ‘all in’ at Swanson to waiting on Cabernet Franc on Spring Mountain

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Last week we reported that harvest was in full gear and things continue to be busy in these parts. Each morning as we make our pre-dawn trek to St. Helena we’re seeing crews in the vineyards picking in hopes of beating the heat of the day and we’ve noted a dramatic increase in the number [...]

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2009 Napa Valley harvest: underway in a very big way

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Two big themes come through loud and clear in this week’s update from our three local wineries. First, the big news is harvest is finally in full swing across the valley. From up on Spring Mountain at Smith-Madrone, to Swanson Vineyards in Oakville and Piña Napa Valley in Rutherford, fruit is reaching its ideal stage [...]

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2009 Napa Valley harvest: are there any real benefits to long ‘hang time’?

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This week brought us the autumnal equinox, meaning Summer is officially behind us and Fall is here. As for the local wine grape harvest, things are still trudging along quite slowly as generally mild temperatures continue to be the norm in the Napa Valley. Regardless, we’ve got some good updates this week from Smith-Madrone, Swanson [...]

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