October is the month of prevalent punchdowns, as the grapes come marching in. And we’re about 80% all in at this point — hooray! in fact, the Estate Merlot will be picked later this week: that’s a record!!
We’ve had a busy month of September with harvest in full swing. So far 30.1 tons of fantastic fruit has hit the crush pad, a 17% increase in tonnage over crush 2012. Still out there are another 25 tons of fruit. So our labors are far from over.
Do you want to guess when the Estate Cabernet Franc will be picked this year? Last year, it was in early November. Go to our FB page and register your guess! you could be rewarded with a bottle of Cab Franc from Dave’s stash.
The Pinot and Chardonnay are pretty much all in, along with Syrah, Merlot and Cab from Pichon. Still awaiting the Cab Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot from the Estate vineyard and Pichon, along with Grenache, Mourvedre and Petite Sirah from Santa Clara County.
Tasting room visitors have lots to experience this month: still ripening grapes, the intoxicating scents of fermenting fruit, occasional tastes of fresh juice or young wine and the hands-on experience of punch downs. So don’t delay—pay us a visit. You can witness the aromas of Dave’s native yeast fermentations firsthand!
EVENTS
Saturday and Sunday, October 5th and 6th, Harvest Festival with The Summit Wineries. Harvest show and tell, samples of Love Bites, special sale wine pricing and live music by Tim Fuller. www.thesummitwineries.com
We love Love Bites!!
Friday, October 11th, Farm to Table Wine Dinner, Chaminade Resort, Santa Cruz. Summit to Sea Wineries, along with Burrell School, will be there! www.chaminade.com
Friday, October 18th, Santa Cruz Mtns. Wine Competition Dinner at Porter-Sesnon House, Cabrillo College, Aptos. It’s a celebration of our region’s stellar fine wines and culinary delights. www.scmwa.com
Tuesday, October 22nd, Dine with the Winemaker, Viva Restaurant, Los Gatos. Winemaker Dave will be in house to pour and talk vino. www.vivalosgatos.co
Saturday, October 26th, A Taste of History, De Anza College, Cupertino. Sip local wines to benefit the California History Center. www.deanza.edu
Wine Specials
Mix and Match Four Pack—choose any 4 of 2009 Chardonnay, 2008 Syrah, 2008 Zinfandel, 2008 “Sweethearts” Zinfandel-Syrah or 2008 Petite Sirah, for a mere $79!!
Or mix and match a case for $216. Incredible bargains, stock up!! Get ready for Halloween’s adult trick or treat parties! Wine’s the thing.
2009 “Prom Night” is our new release blend of Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah and Syrah and it’s a real stunner, full of rich berry flavors. Snag some while it’s on sale, a mere $24 per bottle.