Harvest is only weeks away. I can hardly wait to use all my new toys in the cellar. This will be our first year in the new production facility. We have 16 stainless steel temperature controlled tanks, a new destmer, sorting table and my favorite our new press. Our press is a thing of beauty, though it was quite a daunting task getting it into our cellar. So difficult in fact that I forced my friend out of bed to come down and help me. After an hour of scratching our heads, we brought in a special forklift with a boom so we could lift if off the trailer it came on. Now it sits in its shinning glory waiting its first pressing, most likely with Roussanne or Viognier grapes.

Speaking of grapes things are looking good in the vineyards. Bud break was delayed this year due to the unusually cool spring. Looks like we are close to caught up, at least enough that I can sleep at night, (lie, my new born daughter won’t let me sleep). Some exciting things going on in our vineyards this year, we will be getting a new source of Syrah from here in the Valley, still secret squirrel vineyard name to come soon. In other news our estate vineyard looks wonderful and we excepting our first year of production from the vines next year. The new plantings include 2 acres of Tempranillo. I know how much you all loved the Tempranillo, so we will be making more!

Earlier this year we released our first Tempranillo. A total of 62 cases were made, which flew out the door. We just bottled the second vintage of about 73 cases. Release is set for next February to be joined by our first 50 cases of Malbec! I get so excited about our specialty wines! Not to be out done however, the 2006 Sobra and 2006 Pepper Bridge Merlot are ready to be released.

Cheers!
Ryan Raber
Winemaker