September: On The Brink of Harvest 2016

Our unusually moderate August weather has created perfect slow ripening conditions that we haven’t experienced in quite a few harvests now. Usually, we get a heat spike just in time for Labor Day, but this time, it looks like we’ll be in good shape. Last year, Pinot was brought in before the end of August, so having the luxury to wait until September for the first grapes to arrive is certainly appreciated! We hope to remain in this moderate pattern to avoid the “rush to crush” when everything comes in at once!

First up on the crush pad should be Pinot Noir. We anticipate great quality fruit and interesting spicy strawberry-raspberry flavors. As harvest approaches, we’ll be sampling freshly crushed Pinot Noir juice in the tasting room, a good way to introduce your palate to the intense varietal flavors of our Estate grapes.

Crush will keep us busy at all the wineries on the Summit, making it the best time of year to visit. Bring a picnic, sip some fine Burrell School wine and enjoy a true harvest experience.

In addition to the crush of activity here at Burrell School, we have many fun things going on that you won’t want to miss. Plus you’ll find us out and about at lots of wine friendly activities in September. Read on…

EVENTS

September 3^rd & 4^th—Library Reserve Club wines are ready for tasting and pickup. Join us in the gazebo garden from 1 to 5pm to sample wines, nibble on savory bites and enjoy some harvest “show and tell.” Don’t miss it!

September 5^th—Labor Day. Our tasting room is open from 11am to 5pm.

September 10^th & 11^th—Capitola Art and Wine Festival. Celebrate the end summer at a fun weekend for the whole family. It’s the best art and wine festival on the Central Coast. www.capitolaartandwine.com

September 21, 6 – 9pm—Junior League of San Jose’s “Little Black Dress” fundraiser event at Santana Row.

September 24, noon – 4pm—Grazing on the Green. Enjoy a fabulous day of fine wine, gourmet food and live music at beautiful Aptos Village Park. This one-of-a-kind event helps the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group in their efforts to help community members suffering from cancer. Bring your friends to enjoy the last hurrah of summer! www.sccbg.org/events

September Sunsets: Memorably Magic

Like wine, not all sunsets are created equal. Usually, September brings us some of the year’s most amazing sunsets. Undoubtedly, some of them will occur up at our hilltop location, so come raise a glass to the glory of September evenings!