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September is Harvest Month in Wine Country

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grape harvest in california wine country.

Grape harvest in full swing in California wine country

September is harvest month in wine country

The 2016 Grape Harvest, also know as The Crush, is on, but the best is yet to come. With temperatures lower than normal the past week, the grape clusters are slowly maturing. That is what the vineyard growers like. A lengthy “hang time” means the grapes mature slowly, allowing the grape flavors to intensify. Most of the red grapes will be harvested throughout the month of September. Several of the growers have indicated that 2016 will be a much better harvest in quality and quantity than last year’s harvest. The yields will not be huge, like 2013 or 2014, but enough to keep all the vintners on the happy side. Harvest of the grapes takes place in the early morning hours when temperatures are very cool. High temperatures are unhealthy for the grape-picking crew. The grapes also need to be picked when they are cool. The Napa Valley Register had a wonderful synopsis of the harvest status with various regions of the Napa Valley. Take a look at the report.

Other “Crush” information

Quick video – harvest activities

Have you been to Sam’s Social Club?

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sam's social club

Sam’s Social Club is open to anyone – cozy

Sam’s Social Club – cozy and fun

There is a new hot spot in Calistoga. It’s Sam’s Social Club, just on the outskirts of Calistoga’s main business district. It’s next to the Indian Springs hotel and, if fact, Sam’s Social Club is owned by Indian Springs. Sam’s Social Club is very cozy, both inside and out. Outside is a lovely setting, especially in the evening with the fire pit blasting away. Sam’s Social Club is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is a welcomed addition to the several restaurants located in Calistoga.  The Sam in the name is in reference to Sam Brannan, the rough and tumble guy who founded Calistoga back in the day. When we first spotted Sam’s Social Club, we thought that indeed it was some sort of club and that one had to be a member to enter. Not true, and we went there for breakfast the next morning. The interior is very cool, especially the bar area. The wait staff was swift and cordial. Our breakfast meal was well presented and tasted excellent. The price for breakfast was a little more than you would pay down the road in Calistoga at Cafe Sarafornia. However, Sam’s Social Club is more classy; whereas, the local favorite Sarafornia is more laid back and casual.

The bar at Sam's Social Club

The bar at Sam’s Social Club

Additional good information on Calistoga

Topping off a wine barrel

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Topping off a wine barrel

Cellar worker tops off each wine barrel from another wine barrel.

Topping off a wine barrel

In this photo we see the meaning of “topping off a wine barrel.” Since wine barrels are made from wood, they breathe. A certain amount of evaporation will occur in the barrels and that space is filled with the air we breathe. In order to prevent oxidation of the wine in the barrel, that space of air called “ullage” must be replaced with wine. The wine must be the same as what is in the barrel. The cellar worker “breaks down” another barrel of the same grape and vintage. An inert gas like Argon or Nitrogen is used for pressure to move this extra wine juice through the hose to top off each of the wine barrels in this photo.  Winemakers always try to limit the evaporation of wine in a barrel by having the correct “climate” in the barrel room. That means humidity and temperature control. This is one reason why winemakers love the wine cave.  The natural conditions of the cave control the temperature and humidity all year around. This photo was taken at the Round Pond winery located in the Rutherford AVA in the Napa Valley on May 12, 2015.

topping off wine

The barrel is topped off, leaving enough room for the bung to close the barrel.

Additional winemaking information

A Day in Meursault

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Meursault

In the center of Meursault are several quaint hotels and restaurants

A Day in Meursault

The next village over from our rental home in Puligny Montrachet is Meursault. Like Puligny Montrachet, Meursault is famous for its White Burgundy wines. We spent a day in Meursault exploring the center of town. We did this on Sunday expecting little activity. We were surprised to find many locals and visitors alike in the center of town essentially enjoying life. The sun was warm and an ideal day for dining outside or riding a bike up and down the narrow streets and through the vineyards. Shops are rarely open on Sundays in France, except for those selling wine. These are degustations or caves, where wineries or wine merchants sell the local wines. You can taste for a small fee and decide which wines you like and then purchase a bottle or two.

lunch at Des Arts

Salade de Epoisses and jambon

We ate lunch at the Des Arts Hotel and restaurant. We each had a different salad and, of course, a delicious glass of White Burgundy from the wine village designation of Meursault. The prices for the salads ranged from 12 to 14 Euros. As you can see from the photo, the salad was a very substantial lunch. For more information on the village of Meursault, check the Meursault Tourism Website.

CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY REGIONS:

Carneros • Livermore • Lodi • Mendocino • Monterey • Napa Valley • Paso Robles • Santa Barbara County • Santa Cruz Mts. • Sierra Foothills • Russian River • Sonoma Valley

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