Between the Vines

When I arrived at the winery one recent autumn morning, my footsteps literally echoed as I walked between the rows of barrels in the cellar.  This is one of the quietest Novembers I can recall during my 12 years here at Silverado Vineyards. Typically, we’d still be wrapping up the harvest, but the 2007 harvest and crush flowed so smoothly that we’re about a month ahead of schedule with our work.

What made a difference this year?  Undoubtedly, it was the weather. We experienced nice, evenly warm days throughout the summer months, but by late August the weather cooled a bit, slowing the ripening of the grapes. Instead of the typical very warm September days that cause everything to ripen at once, we enjoyed more moderate temperatures that allowed us to harvest the grapes at a steady, even pace.  (So steady, in fact, that our winemaker Jon Emmerich was able to slip out the cellar door early on several occasions!) The harvest also wrapped up much earlier than in years past.  On October 8, in fact, we brought in the final grapes of 2007, our Mount George Cabernet Sauvignon.

One of the reasons we finished so quickly is that the harvest itself was lighter than usual this year, probably 30% off a typical harvest. Not only were the grapes themselves smaller, but the clusters weighed less. With that said, the quality of the grapes Mother Nature provided was extraordinary – concentrated reds and crisp, classic whites, all thanks to the cooler weather.  I’m usually hesitant to comment on the quality of the harvest until January or February, but I’m ready to go on record to say that 2007 is indeed going to be a very good vintage. Our Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, in particular, promise to be extraordinary wines.

As we work in the cellar, racking our wines, monitoring malolactic fermentation and putting blends together, we’re also excited about the upcoming holiday season. Wine and food are so much a part of traditional family celebrations at this time of year.  Growing up in an Italian family in the Sacramento Delta, I was accustomed to seeing my family enjoy wine daily at both lunch and dinner. Wine was not saved for special occasions, and that is a philosophy that I have embraced as well.  At my Thanksgiving dinner table, for instance, I always pour several different Silverado Vineyards reds, including our Merlot and Sangiovese. Chilled rosés like our Rosato are also great turkey wines, so if I still have some in my cellar, I’ll be sure to uncork it. On Christmas Eve, my family typically enjoys traditional Italian salt cod or baccala, accompanied by bottles of Silverado Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay and Sangiovese.  In addition, we’ll no doubt ring in the New Year with lots of fresh, steamed Dungeness crab, crunchy French bread and bottles of crisp Silverado Vineyards Vineburg Chardonnay.

Whatever your family traditions, we wish you a wonderful holiday season. This is the best time of year to celebrate friendship and good cheer with Silverado Vineyards wines!

Salute!
Elena Franceschi
Assistant Winemaker