2010 is an exceptionally late year for Sonoma County in regards to grape growing. Perhaps the coolest in 40 years, with July being the coldest since records began, at this point most vineyards are 3 weeks behind ‘normal’. For this reason we met in the vineyards to discuss getting the grapes ripe enough to make a wine of the caliber we have come to expect from this prestigious vineyard. It is going to require some hard work, and some extraordinary attention to detail to each and every one of those special vines to achieve our goal.

Getting the vines into balance, with an appropriate crop load along with an even ripening pattern is of utmost importance. The canopy on all of the PRW blocks is looking extremely healthy. Cane and vegetative growth in all but a few isolated spots has stopped; and is therefore not a concern.

CABERNET FRANC  - Ulises Valdez, the Rockpile Vineyard consultant demonstrated what he believes needs to be done to get this fruit ripe before the sunny days run out and the threat of imminent of rain. He described how the clusters need to be free of each other (not touching) with the Eastern exposure having slight shade/ good sun exposure with all leaves removed from within the fruit zone to allow for free flow of air. The western side of the vines should have full canopy.

This work should be achieved by: The removal of all fruit from short shoots, less than 18inches and one cluster on all shoots taller than the above, but not at full length. Other considerations in regards to the above fruit removal should be based on the cane thickness and level of lignification. With green/non lignified canes and narrow canes having fruit removed. The removal of shoulders were not a huge concern, but should be removed where they are touching other clusters or restricting air flow. Where fruit crowding is an issue the removal of complete canes should be the first consideration. Careful selection should be made in regards to which cane to remove.

Keeping good positions for next year is important along with spacing and cane direction. He is looking for no more than 24 clusters of grapes per vine/ 8lbs. At between 85 to 90% veraison all fruit that is not black should be removed.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON - There is a large crop in this block. Thinning a considerable amount of fruit/ canes should be done with the same principles as in the Cabernet Franc. It was noted that some canes still have a 3rd cluster, and it essential that these are removed. Once he had finished demonstrating what canes/clusters need to be removed there was more fruit on the ground than on the vine! Again he is looking for no more than 24 grape clusters per vine/ 8lbs. At between 85 to 90% veraison all fruit that is not black should be removed.

PETITE VERDOT - There is also an extremely healthy crop in this block. It was noted that these vines sometimes produced 3 or 4 clusters per cane and that most of their removal had been completed. Again a similar story the Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon . It was noted that there are more replants and newer vines within this block and that these should be appropriately cropped.

MERLOT - Same story as Cab Franc and Cab Sauv. Ulises said that it was important that the order in which the work was done was related to the historic order of harvesting times – 1st Cabernet Franc, 2nd Cabernet Sauvignon, 3rd Merlot, 4th Petite Verdot.

Before parting ways Ulises quoted that “This is farming, and there are always difficulties. But a little prayer this year might just help. ’