We are here on the 30th of August looking at a bit of recent history playing itself over again. The vineyard conditions are very similar to the vintage of 2004 where we had come off a three year cycle of minimal rainfall. This season we set new records of low rainfall with just under 4.5 inches. This combined with a January record low temperature record of 11 to 14 degrees we experienced in various locations on the ranch. The chill damaged the buds on the dormant vines and caused a bit of irregularity during bloom. The fruit that set was off by 20-30% of normal yields. The wisdom of Butch’s many years in the field remind us that small crops get smaller as they mature. So we all await a first picking date to assess the size of the vintage.

As for quality, there is every reason to believe we are in for an excellent treat with this vintage. With the thinning and fruit drop of the unevenly ripened clusters this will bring a quick ripening to a very balanced crop load. The varietals are progressive in their development with nothing zooming out of normal ripening mode. The chemistries of the juice sampled to date tell us that the winemakers will have very nice juice to produce our Lockwood wines.

Today we enjoyed a freakish rain storm with lightning and thunder but even such a show cannot damper the enthusiasm we have for this vintage. Pinot is at 21% sugar and will wait patiently until we finish our cooler full of Labor Day frosties. When we get back we will turn our phones off, kiss the families goodbye and engage this harvest of 2007. Gypsy witch says we will be done by Turkey Day.