September is officially Wine Month in California, and to celebrate, we decided to pick grapes! 
Actually, our class of 2012 Pinot Noir students were so eager to begin their higher education at Burrell School, that they matriculated on the last day of August, just before Labor Day! It’s been a busy time on the crushpad, with visits from local journalists and TV camera crews! Watch KTVU Channel 2, Wed Sept 5, 6pm and 9pm.
Schoolmasters Anne and Dave welcomed beautiful clean fruit and an abundant yield, which seems to be a harbinger for vintage 2012. On Friday, august 31, 6.25 tons of Clone 5 and 115 came in, and yesterday, 4.625 tons of 667 and 777 were picked – a record for the vineyard!
The ferments look beautiful! come up and check them out.
Check our facebook page for harvest updates. the next grapes in are likely to be the Estate Pichon Syrah, around the first week of October.
September Events
Saturday and Sunday, September 8th and 9th—Capitola Art & Wine Festival, the best California art and wine event of the year!! Look for us on The Esplanade across from Paradise Beach Grille. www.capitolachamber.com/events
Saturday, September 8th, Library Reserve Club party from 6 to 8pm at the winery. LRC members are invited to sample their club wines, enjoy savory nibbles and enjoy a spectacular September sunset.
Saturday, September 15th—Gourmet Grazin’ on the Green, Aptos Village Park. Fabulous wines, local food, music and fun, all to benefit Santa Cruz Cancer Group. www.sccbg.com
Saturday and Sunday, September 15th and 16th—Santa Cruz County Fair. Taste the award winning wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains in the harvest building. Sample Burrell School’s gold and silver medal wines. www.santacruzcountyfair.com
Wednesday, September 19th—Campbell Wine Walk in historic downtown Campbell from 5 to 9pm. Say hello to Katrina and Karlo and sip some great Burrell School wine. www.downtowncampbell.com/winewalk
Saturday, September 29th—Gala in the Garden, a benefit for the Valley Medical Center Foundation. Join us for an elegant evening of food, wine, music and fun at a private residence in Atherton. www.vmcfoundation.org
Awards
Food and Beverage World just reviewed Bordeaux varietals from the Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Clara Valley and they really like the wines from Burrell School. Check out these ratings—Cabernet Franc, 91 points; Merlot, 89 points; Dean’s List Cabernet, 90 points; Valedictorian, 91 points. Congratulations to winemaker Dave and crew! www.fbworld.com
Wine Specials
School is Back Four Pack, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel–$89 (a $134 value). That’s an incredible back to school bargain! come stock up — there will be a test, and you’ve got lots of studying to do!!