February 18, 2004
Winter in the VineyardsSeveral wine producers have told me how different 2004 is from 2003--so far.
One thing I've noticed is the cold nights this year. Last year by this time, many vineyards in the county had "bud Break." The vines thought it was already spring. So far, at least in 2004, the vines are not being fooled by Mother Nature.
Early bud break can bode disaster in the vineyard if it freezes. Freezing temperatures kill new growth on the plant.
Bud break heralds "awakening," the new lifecycle for the vine.
The next critical time in the cycle of the vine comes in late spring when the plant flowers. This will pretty much determine yield. Pinot noir yields in the county were down in 2003, but quality was particularly good.
Other News
This year, the Vintners' Festival is set for Saturday, May 15 at Firestone Meadow. This marks a real departure for the festival which has been held in April since 1984.
The "celebration of Harvest" is now called the Harvest Passport Weekend and has been scheduled for October 9 and 10. For more information you should call the Vintners' Association at (805) 688-0881.
The two new winery members in the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association are Summerland Winery and Dierberg Vineyard.
New winery tasting rooms include the Summerland Winery Tasting Room at 2330 Lillie Avenue in Summerland. Epiphany Cellars has moved from Santa Ynez to 2973 Grand Avenue in Los Olivos. Consilience also plans to open a tasting room soon in Los Olivos.
Wine lover and Santa Maria Times Wine columnist, Bob Senn, lives in the bucolic Los Alamos Valley and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
