It was an excellent growing season for us. This established vineyard is typically dry farmed. A mild spring with occasion soft rain late in the season gave the vines a bit more vigor than they expected as bud break set in the tail end of March. The wet winter, by recent standards that is, gave us a good fruit set with no weather related issues to manage such as frost or shatter. This set the team on notice that extra work to manage shoot position and lateral growth would be needed. Bloom was perfectly timed between rain showers and the set was notable and the first of three passes to thin the clusters was performed in late April, it was already looking to be a very good year. With steady seasonal temps, fruit set and cluster development was rather robust. Robert went to work opening up the canopy to let the sun stream in but also reduce the leaf layers. Another fruit drop was made just before veraison started mid -July and carried on into the early part of August just as the summer started to heat up. The whites lingered a bit in many areas of the valley but the year threw no curve balls such as untimely frost, severe heat or sudden rain showers. It was a wonderful reprieve from the previous vintage which tested everyone. That said, the growing season culminated in a crescendo with everything coming together for vintners across the valley, seemingly at once. This, is why we call it ?the crush?. The wines of 2012 were well above average in yield and quality. 96 Points, Steve Heimoff 93 Points, North Coast Wine Challenge ?Cellar Selection? and ?Editor's choice? Wine Enthusiast ?GOLD? Medal, American Fine Wine Awards ?GOLD? Sunset International Wine Competition

- ()