Between The Vines

Though winter might seem like a quiet season here in the Napa Valley, the first three months of the year are actually filled with activity as we gear up for the growing season ahead.

When frequent winter storms sweep into the valley, crews head out into the vineyards to make sure that erosion control efforts are working as planned. Specifically, we want to ensure that hay bales, waddles and other devices are properly channeling run-off on in the vineyards. Not only do we want to protect top soil and the vines from any possible storm damage, but we are also committed to keeping silt run-off into the Napa River to a minimum, ultimately keeping the river healthy.

Rough pre-pruning that took place in the vineyards in December was followed in January by meticulous pruning conducted by teams of highly skilled workers. This is also the time of year when we run overhead sprinklers and wind machines in the vineyards to make sure that they’ll be working effectively when we need them to protect tender buds from early spring frosts in late March and April. When frosts hit, the wind machines are helpful in keeping the coldest, most damaging air from settling among the vines.  The sprinklers serve to “coat” the vines with water, which turns to ice during the freeze and actually keeps the temperature of the vines from plunging below 32 degrees.

Our cellar is filled with winter activity as well. Not only are we busy tying up loose ends from the 2007 harvest – speeding up sluggish fermentations and the like – but we are completing final racking on our 2006 red wines.  The winemaking staff and I are also conducting regular blend tastings as we begin putting together our 2007 white wine blends.

The winter months are also a great time to purchase and install new equipment well in advance of the next harvest. For instance, we’re hoping to buy a couple of 5- to 7-ton red fermenters as more small lot fermentations will take our Cabernets to an even higher level. 

We are looking forward to another great harvest in 2008, especially since we will be bringing in some new Sauvignon Blanc grapes from a fairly new 7-acre block on Miller Ranch. In the meantime, please join us in toasting the New Year.  We cannot wait to welcome you back to Silverado vineyards in the months ahead.

Cheers,

Jon Emmerich, Winemaker