How would I describe this grape growing season? Unseasonable. And that could be a very good thing.
The season began with unusually dry heat in April and early May of 2004. By June, the weather became unseasonably cool due to a large coastal inflow of air off the Pacific Ocean. Highs were in the low to mid 80s with nightly lows in the low 50s. The crop weight is difficult to judge because of tremendous variability in the berry clusters from vine to vine, which is a common challenge among many vineyards this year. This is the result of a cold spring in April 2003 – when the buds were formed that then developed into canes (slender woody stems) in 2004 – and the unseasonably cool weather in 2004 during bloom.
With that said, a light crop usually means a more concentrated flavor and higher quality in the grapes. Some speculate that the consistent inland coastal breeze will further enhance flavor development this year. As the vineyard is now in its fifth producing year – with a history of ever-improving grape quality – we think this year’s grapes could be a blockbuster wine in a couple of years.
