2022
2022 was a beautiful year for growing grapes. While it was a dry winter, spring brought some much-needed rain to the vines as they began their season. Following these spring showers, the warm and dry summer allowed for gradual ripening, and most grape varieties reached optimal maturity without any significant delays.
By late August we began picking our Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir vineyards, with Chardonnay close behind. As September approached, a heat wave appeared in the forecast. Luckily, we were nearing the lull in our harvest between the last of the Burundian varieties and our later ripening Zinfandel and Syrah. We were able to bring in all of our early ripening varieties before the heat hit, and give the later varieties the drink of water they needed to weather the heat. As the temperature subsided, the Zinfandel and Syrah reached maturity at a more leisurely pace throughout the end of September, bringing the 2022 harvest to a close.
Following two drought years in a row, 2022 yields were low. However, what 2022 lacked in quantity it more than made up for in quality. The favorable weather conditions, combined with diligent vineyard management, resulted in grapes with beautiful flavor concentration and balanced acidity. The wines produced from the 2022 vintage showcase their varietal characteristics and express the unique terroir of the region.
