Cluster Close

     It has been a crazy hot, humid week here in central PA this last 7 days.  Temperatures have been up in the mid to upper 90's and humidity is off the charts.  After all the rain in June the vines have jumped up and continue to grow at an unbelievable rate. Likewise the grape clusters have surged and as the picture shows, are ready to close up which means the next step will be ripening or veraison, literally, the onset of ripening.  This is always an exciting time as you work and watch before your eyes the transformation of the fruit into their beautiful final stage.  The grapes in this picture are our Chardonnay and they will turn a beautiful golden/bronze color.  We have already thinned the clusters and pulled shoots and leaves to give all the grapes a chance to ripen evenly.  This week we will fix all the bird nets into place and secure them so that the hungry flocks are held at bay.  

      Everyone always asks how the grapes are developing this year and some people are actually interested enough to take the time to walk, look, listen and taste the answers that we try to use to explain this very complex question.  The fact is, so many factors come into play that it's really not until after the harvest and primary fermentation that we can finally asses the growing season.  The short answer is that this year is shaping up to be a fantastic year but we just don't know what nature has in store for the next 3 months.  Hopefully, it will continue to be the perfect season!