Fall Harvests: 1999

Newsletter Archives > Viticulture

Harvest 1999
Miracle Fall Gives Back-to-Back Stellar Vintages
(For more details see the reports published during the harvest.)

Never count the game lost until it's over. We were hoping for, but not expecting, what would have to be an exceptional two months of weather to turn the coolest year in heat units and one of the latest growing seasons into something decent. But we got it, and more!

1999 Harvest Crew, Nearing the End, But Still No Rain Since September 1st we have, at this writing on October 23rd, received only 0.36 inches of rain, during a period when we average 5 inches of rain based on 100 year records. With temperatures above normal (18 of 22 days above the average high October temperature) and sunny conditions we have seen a second outstanding vintage in a row, all grapes close to perfect condition, flavors and numbers. We did not expect the weather to cooperate, however, so many of us dropped fruit in a "green harvest" to give vines less fruit to ripen and thus bring in earlier what was left. A wise move, but in retrospect, not necessary.

Yields are up over 1998, despite this crop drop. Our pinot noir yields ranged from 1.4 tons per acre at Ridgecrest to 1.8 at Corral Creek and 2.7 at Stoller.

Some people flinched and brought fruit in earlier than they would have, given wisdom of hindsight. We played it cautiously on vineyard blocks that have a tendency to have low acids and high pHs anyway. It may turn out that overripe fruit is a failing for some in the valley in 1999, exulting in California luxuries of extending ripening and suntans.

In many ways, 1999 is very similar to 1993. In both years we had no color change at Ridgecrest Vineyards at Labor Day! And, in both years, we had to depend on a magnificent Fall to ripen fruit. In 1993 we harvested two varieties in November, with good weather lasting until the second week of that month. This year, possibly because we were not ripening the fruit we dropped, all normal crop was in by October 22nd.

Claire Mulholland Overseeing a Pinot Tank A pleasant aspect of this vintage was a very strong team in the winery, including three New Zealanders, or Kiwis, here to experience their second harvest of the year. Brent Park was back from last year, as full of energy and kiwiisms as ever; Claire Mulholland from Gibbston Valley gave us stability and quick smiles; and Michael Davies brought the outdoor "greenness" of New Zealand with a can-do approach (especially appreciated covering late-night activity). Jim Prosser split time between here and Brick House and is revered as King of the Data Base. Hearty work, food and humor, with virtually no rain to dampen spirits.

With two exceptional vintages in a row, maybe we'll start thinking rain is the exception, not the sun! Pulled out in the last seconds! Great team. Clutch plays.