The crush team of 10 showed up at 9:00am and we were off. The fruit was in great shape with only a small amount a raisining but we hand sorted every bunch. This is going to make a very powerful wine as the fruit as well as the tannins are very powerful. Thanks to everyone who help make this a great day.

Friday morning I picked up our 3.75 tons of Alder Ridge Cab Sav. The broken record would be that once again we were one of the last wineries to pick. I must have walked these rows 20 times this year so knew every inch and every berry. As the team crushed, I could tell where in each row the bins came from. It was an exciting drive home but sad as well knowing I won’t be back in the vineyard until next spring.

Today we picked up 1110 pounds of Cab Franc from Alder Ridges Block 1. This is a hill top vineyard with a slight northern slope. The slight slope allows for long hang times which always cause a debate on when to harvest. This year I held off and the fruit is very ripe, 26.1 brix. I am very excited to see how this wine will turn out as the grapes show great complexity.

on the 16th we pressed the Snipes Merlot and on the 20th the Walluke Cab Sav. in to barrels. We pressed off 150 gallons of merlot and 140 gallons of Cab Sav. We are very excited about both.

The cap has dropped and primary fermentation has completed. We contemplated waiting a few more days to get a bit more maceration but after tasting the fruit the balance is there now. We gently pressed of 140 gallons of great merlot straight into barrels.

We looked long and hard for a little Cab Sav that we felt could live up to our Alder Ridge. After tasting a number of wines and fruit from the vineyard we called Jerry Bookwalter and worked out a small sample. The big debate was if we should pick this weekend or wait a week. After tasting the fruit, picking now was the right choice.

After making a number of trips to this vineyard Keith Klingele and I decided the merlot was ready. This is a great cool (as far as the Yakima Valley goes) site that allows for extended hang time. This fruit is very complex, and will be a great companion to the Alder Ridge.

With only a day to spare we picked up one ton of AlderRidge Merlot. We were one of the last if not the last winery to pick merlot so it was sweet and concentrated. Still the fruit is showing deep vibrant flavors and great color.

Alder Ridge Merlot

Finally! we have our bonding paper work! Bring on the grapes!

One day closer, The winery is completed and will see the inspector for the final time on Friday. It is a good thing as Alder Ridge Merlot will arive on Saturday. The first Crush will be Sunday morning and if all goes well will be very quick. It has been very warm this week so I expect the Merlot to be very ripe! The winemaking side of things should pickup soon!