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From what I understand, the ripening of most grapes is behind “schedule” this year due to the unusually mild temperatures we’ve been experiencing. So, this will likely be a late harvest–unless we have early rains. Rain pretty much necessitates harvest as the grapes can be damaged.

That said, today it was 100 106 degrees Upvalley. It [...]

Here are shots of the same vineyard in Oakville that I’ve been featuring all this season. You can see the update from three weeks ago here.

From what I hear from my winemaker friends, almost everything this season is delayed–yet growth and development is steady.

I was told this is due to the late rains and the [...]

Even though it’s just a few minutes from our home, we hadn’t visited Sequoia Grove Winery in years; in fact, it’s been since before Samantha was born.

I suppose we didn’t think it was family-friendly.

But then, in using our favorite winery finder tool, I found that Sequoia Grove fits both of our two main criteria:

1) Family-friendly
2) [...]

The most interesting change since Update #4 is the grow of the grape clusters in the second photo below. The leaf canopy hasn’t seemed to have grown much, with the exception of filling out some.

So do you like that this year I’ve been featuring the same vineyard in each update?
Or would you like to see more on [...]

Below you can see the amazing growth in the month’s time since Update #3.

In fact, the vines have grown so that you can longer even see Robert Mondavi Winery in the background of the last photo.

Looking Towards Nickel & Nickel Winery

Grape Clusters Ten Weeks Post-Bud Break

Looking Towards Robert Mondavi Winery

This weekend, we noticed the first of our heirloom tomatoes.

It’s officially (finally) summertime here in the Napa Valley.

Last year, a friend of ours started this little thing called Cheers! St Helena.

He calls it a “Friendship Celebration” and a “Main Street Toast to Friends & Wine.” I can’t even imagine all the work he’s put into it, and all of the hoops he’s had to jump through.

See, our little wine country town is [...]

These shots were taken in the same vineyard as Update #2.

It’s amazing how much growth has occurred in three weeks time.

Nickel & Nickel Winery in Background

Grape Clusters Six Weeks Post-Bud Break

Robert Mondavi Winery in Background

Nickel & Nickel Winery in Background

Three Weeks Post Bud Break

Robert Mondavi Winery in Background

[This post, as is noted below would happen, was modified on 3.27.10. Dang, I didn't think it would take me so long to get back to...I guess it WAS a busy week indeed. -JLJP]

So. I am still figuring out how I want to number these vineyard updates now, as we’re just coming into the new season/vintage…

But. I don’t want [...]