After the Harvest

Just as suddenly as it starts, it seems to end.  Another cycle in the vineyard comes to an end as the last of our precious clusters is brought into the winery.  This year, we timed it all to perfection: no sooner were the final grapes carefully picked, lovingly sorted, gently crushed and quietly resting in their cozy fermentation tanks than the first of the rains appeared.  Vines, tired and thirsty after months spent ripening their crop could almost be heard gasping with relief as they received their first natural drink in months.  Now they sit, resting and waiting for the first frost before losing the rest of their leaves and slipping into dormancy for the colder months. 

Another low (tiny) yielding vintage has produced some beautiful wines.  Although it is too early to start talking about quality with any real authority I am very happy with how things are looking so far.  Our Cabernet Sauvignon in particular shows lots of promise: dark fruit, spice, richness and supple tannins.  The young wines fill the cellar with an exotic perfume that impresses every visitor - novice and expert alike.  A journey ends, however, with the last of the grapes coming into the winery.  Some of the characters that have worked tirelessly throughout the year to coax and nurture delicious fruit from our vineyard are taking a well earned break while the rest of us help embark upon another journey: one that begins as the wines take their first steps from grape to glass.  We've started to press the first of our reds and move wine into barrel to begin the long aging process.  Make sure that you twist my arm enough to show you a barrel taste of  some 2006 wines on your next visit to Bell Mountain Ranch....

Ames Morison, Winemaker