August heat is bringing veraison to all the red varieties in the vineyards at the Schoolhouse. This is the time when Chardonnay begins to turn from bright green to a muted shade of yellow, then gold, as it ripens in the California sunshine, and the reds begin to take on their violet grapeness.
The Estate Pinot Noir has already been netted to keep out those hungry birds. Dave thinks the first pick will take place the last week of this month, just after he returns from a sojourn to Spain. With any luck, we won’t have any more intense stretches of heat, after the one we’re currently baking in.
In 2015, the first Pinot came in on August 19th, the earliest ever at Burrell School. Last year’s harvest began on August 28 with Pinot Noir, and was all wrapped up by October 10, the fastest harvest ever at the Schoolhouse since 1999.
Mother Nature will once again dictate when harvest happens this year, and she’s not sharing her plans just yet.
EVENTS
August 12 & 13: Chardonnay Days on the Summit, 12-5pm. We celebrate the Queen of all varietals, Chardonnay! Two-day festival with music, toffee, biscotti, awesome cheese platters by Tabitha and special tastings of current releases of everybody’s summer favorite white! Some wineries will have library selections available. Burrell School will have Cowboy Toffee both days. Participating wineries include Burrell School Vineyards, Loma Prieta Winery, MJA Vineyards, Radonich Brothers Vineyard and Wrights Station Vineyard & Winery. Tickets are $25 for tasting at all participating wineries.
August 19: Bill the Oysterman is here at the winery – get ready for succulent bivalves!
August 19: Bill Wilson Adoption center benefit from 5-8pm at Santana Row: join Katarina at Donald Pliner’s newly renovated shop and help kids find forever homes, while you find some really cool shoes!
August 20: 1—4pm, come to the winery and meet LulaRoe representative, Jennie Guy, at a fashion trunk show, hosted by our very own Katarina! If you haven’t seen these products yet, you’re in for a treat. LulaRoe has the most amazing and comfortable leggings ever. Come check them out!
Coming up in September: Mark your calendars for the Library Reserve Club pickup party over Labor Day weekend, September 2-4. We have a few slots open for the LRC: contact Elena right away if you’d like to receive the upcoming Library package.