2006 Marin County Wine Grape Harvest
I got an e-mail from Jonathan Pey of Pey-Marin Vineyards & Mount Tamalpais Vineyards regarding the 2006 wine grape harvest. If you're curious, here is the press release in whole.
2006 MARIN COUNTY WINE GRAPE HARVEST WAS WORTH THE WAIT
Marin County, CA – Heavy winter rains and cold spring weather delayed access to muddy vineyards but a breezy summer filled with sunny days and cool nights have delivered superb grapes in this burgeoning wine region. Winegrowers are happy the harvest is almost over – and are pleased with its very high-quality as they again witnessed the flavor-packed “micro berries” for which chilly west Marin County is becoming increasingly known.
Also, while neighboring wine regions suffered significantly from botrytis in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Marin County vineyards were largely spared and pristine red and white grapes are now in the fermenters. Marin’s warmer winters accelerate budbreak which is followed by a very long, cool growing season. Both of these may have contributed to lowering botrytis pressure throughout Marin County this year.
Harvest officially began in Marin on September 16 with Pinot Noir going to Schramsberg. A fifteen-day cool spell and light rain on October 4 slowed things down and kept winegrowers on edge, but ultimately proved to be non-issues and the majority of the harvest took place between October 6 and 25 under sunny “Indian Summer” conditions.
Despite a winegrowing history that predates Napa Valley by twenty years, Marin County is not yet “tip of the tongue” for consumers when listing California best-known wine regions, but in recent years demand from winemakers for these coveted grapes has exceeded supply. Dedicated vintners are making small lots of flavorful, balanced wines which are quickly gaining recognition among serious wine enthusiasts. The list of wineries that grow or source grapes in Marin County continues to grow (now exceeding eighteen) and includes; Corda, Dutton-Goldfield, Kendric, Miller, Mount Tamalpais, Niebaum-Coppola, Orogeny, Owl Ridge, Pacheco Ranch, Pey-Marin, Point Reyes, Schramsberg, Sean Thackrey, Sheldon, Stubbs, Thomas Fogarty and Vision.
Total acreage stands at slightly less than 200 acres with the widest planted varietal Pinot Noir, perfectly suited to the chilly climes and rolling hills of west Marin. Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Merlot are also grown. Eastern Marin boasts old vine Cabernet which contributed to Cuvaison’s success in the 1970’s. 2006 yields/acre were again very low and ranged from 1.3 tons for Pinot Noir to 3 tons Merlot.
Marin County Winegrowers Association is a volunteer organization committed to promoting the grapes and wines grown in Marin County.
For more info contact Jonathon at (415)902-9118.
2006 MARIN COUNTY WINE GRAPE HARVEST WAS WORTH THE WAIT
Marin County, CA – Heavy winter rains and cold spring weather delayed access to muddy vineyards but a breezy summer filled with sunny days and cool nights have delivered superb grapes in this burgeoning wine region. Winegrowers are happy the harvest is almost over – and are pleased with its very high-quality as they again witnessed the flavor-packed “micro berries” for which chilly west Marin County is becoming increasingly known.
Also, while neighboring wine regions suffered significantly from botrytis in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Marin County vineyards were largely spared and pristine red and white grapes are now in the fermenters. Marin’s warmer winters accelerate budbreak which is followed by a very long, cool growing season. Both of these may have contributed to lowering botrytis pressure throughout Marin County this year.
Harvest officially began in Marin on September 16 with Pinot Noir going to Schramsberg. A fifteen-day cool spell and light rain on October 4 slowed things down and kept winegrowers on edge, but ultimately proved to be non-issues and the majority of the harvest took place between October 6 and 25 under sunny “Indian Summer” conditions.
Despite a winegrowing history that predates Napa Valley by twenty years, Marin County is not yet “tip of the tongue” for consumers when listing California best-known wine regions, but in recent years demand from winemakers for these coveted grapes has exceeded supply. Dedicated vintners are making small lots of flavorful, balanced wines which are quickly gaining recognition among serious wine enthusiasts. The list of wineries that grow or source grapes in Marin County continues to grow (now exceeding eighteen) and includes; Corda, Dutton-Goldfield, Kendric, Miller, Mount Tamalpais, Niebaum-Coppola, Orogeny, Owl Ridge, Pacheco Ranch, Pey-Marin, Point Reyes, Schramsberg, Sean Thackrey, Sheldon, Stubbs, Thomas Fogarty and Vision.
Total acreage stands at slightly less than 200 acres with the widest planted varietal Pinot Noir, perfectly suited to the chilly climes and rolling hills of west Marin. Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Merlot are also grown. Eastern Marin boasts old vine Cabernet which contributed to Cuvaison’s success in the 1970’s. 2006 yields/acre were again very low and ranged from 1.3 tons for Pinot Noir to 3 tons Merlot.
Marin County Winegrowers Association is a volunteer organization committed to promoting the grapes and wines grown in Marin County.
For more info contact Jonathon at (415)902-9118.
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