Summer in the Vineyard 2017

Today we're bringing our winemaker, Jacques Tardy, on the blog to give us a quick tour of what's happening in the vineyard and the winery during the hot days of summer. Enjoy!

After a delayed start of bud break (about ten days), the heat of May and the first week of June have allowed the vines to catch up most of that lost time.

The winter rains are stored in the soil, and the vines are making the best of it, now that the sun is shining on them.

Bloom is in full swing. I noticed the first flowers on Thursday, June 15. With this beautiful weather, we can hope for great pollination and a good size crop in early October. The newly planted vines are thriving and are really enjoying this weather, just as we are.

In April, Jon and I racked all the 2016 Pinot Noir barrels and I am now working on the blends. I am tasting all the barrels and creating in a glass. Thirteen different Pinot Noir blends! We are preparing the 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for bottling next month.

2015 was a mile stone for me; it was my 40th harvest as a winemaker, the 34th in the US and the 11th at Torii Mor.

We have just bottled our first batch of Pinot Noir Grappa, rich, fragrant, sweet, with pear and a mix of fresh and dry herb flavors. Should be in the tasting room very soon.

Cheers,

Jacques Tardy, winemaker