Vintage 2009
The growing season started with bud break around the second week of April; the spring was colder and much drier than the average. By June the temperature rose above normal for a warm summer. The fruit set was larger than average by 30% to 40%. We experienced some very warm days at the end of August and through September that dehydrated the berries. The tightness of the clusters prevented them from bursting, which also prevented botrytis from developing. Harvest was hand-picked between September 21st and October 18th.