Harvest is in full swing at the rancho. It seems as if the heat has broken -- except on the days that the rancho worker bees decide to pick. So, let's recap where we're at currently. In our last episode, the Petite Sirah was picked, and since then, we made it and it's in the barrel. The Cab was picked, and it was our largest Cab harvest ever -- and we still lost all of what we call Block 2, which is hilarious, if you actually saw the size of it. Here are some photos from our 2016 Cabernet Harvest:
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| 2016 Cabernet |
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| 2016 Cabernet |
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| 2016 Cabernet |
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| 2016 Cabernet |
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| 2016 Cabernet |
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| 2016 Cabernet |
I know, they're all starting to look the same. They were so beautiful, the photographer could not resist the urge to photograph nearly every cluster. As with the 2013 Petite Sirah, the feeling about these particular grapes is that the wine promises amazing things.
So, even though the harvesters have olive harvest barking at their back door, they agreed to push their space limitations and test their skill set and accepted over a half ton of Grenache -- I know -- and a quarter of a ton of Zin. It is difficult to walk in the barrel room, it is so full.
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| 2016 Grenache |
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| 2016 Grenache |
I'll bet you were going to say they look just like the Cab -- and why aren't you showing us photos of the Zinfandel? You can click on the FB icon on our home page and view those photos, but believe us when we tell you, they look just the same as the other grapes.
And speaking of olive harvest, you're probably wondering how the olives are shaping up. Surprisingly, very well. After the devastating winds in April, it was expected the yield from the olives on the hill would be minimal.
In fact, so discouraged was our heroine, that she had refused to "walk all the way up the hill" just to view "what could have been." However, when she was left to her own devices, and getting to the point of needing to provide estimated weights and scheduling picking crews, she realized she must get out there and walk amongst the trees. Sad, but true. The photos provide proof that she actually left the barn.
Olive harvest has been scheduled for November 5th. One always wonders what the yield will be, how will the quality be, what will the year bring? Even we, the growers, wonder those things, but so you can envision what will be in your 2016 oil, here are a few photos of the Olives on the Hill:
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| Olive Tree Hill on a gloomy October morning |
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| The Leccino olives |
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| A Pendolino tree, straining under the weight |
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| Pendolino olives |
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| The Arbequinas |
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More Arbequinas
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This tale would not be complete without mentioning that, one day, while driving back from town, I noticed the sentinel of our hill looked odd. Upon further inspection, it was noted that the tree had become one of the many old oaks in the area that were suffering due to the drought. After doing research, an emergency plan was put into place, and very kindly (and strong) neighbors came to assist the ranch chief in cutting the fallen limb, so that the split could be cleaned up and treated, so the remaining portion of the tree did not become infected by the dreaded beetles.
Does this catch you up on everything? Not a chance! You'll have to check back to see how the tree was repaired, all about the Wellness Kitchen's Top Chef dinner -- and more and more! As they say in the biz, stay tuned for further updates!
Cheers!
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