September is in full swing up at the school house. The grapes are coming in! They picked 2.5 precious tons of Pinot Noir on Friday, Sept 9, mostly clone 667. It’s been fermenting nicely.
Dave and Anne were planning on bringing in clone 115 this past week, but the thick marine layer abated the ripening process.
However, this week looks to be in the 90’s all the way, so the rest of that Pinot is likely to be ready for the picking bins! Sugar levels are rising at the Pichon Vineyard with Merlot heading the harvest count-down at 21° Brix. With Mother Nature’s co-operation, they’re planning on a late September pick date.
Vineyard Manager Mark took sugars Thursday at all the off-site vineyards and readings are mostly high 18’s with Della Maggiore Cabernet Sauvignon at 19.2 and Stan Moniz’s Zin at 20 even.
Pichon Cab Franc is right around 18.5 and Merlot is 20.9. Syrah has a pretty heavy crop and is in the high 18’s to 19.
Katarina and Jennifer poured at the 8th annual Grazing on the Green cancer benefit in Aptos park yesterday and it was a glorious day! Excellent food and wine, music and general merriment while raising funds for the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group. Tabitha’s Friend in Cheeses Jam Company was sampling their amazing carrot marmalade – a must! 
Check out her cool delivery truck!
A rousing success!
Other news is that 10 of the Santa Cruz Mtns. wineries (including Burrell School) will be pouring at Pinot on the River in Healdsburg on October 23rd and will be doing the morning seminar with exclusively SCMtn Pinots. Go to pinotfestival.com for details.