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HOME We have budbreak...the 2008 winegrowing season begins now!
The quiet of the winter months is now giving way to a plethora of activity in the vineyards. Rain storms in late December and throughout January brought a sea of yellow mustard flowers to the vineyards of Napa Valley and Carneros in February. The mustard and other winter cover crops have now been turned over and tilled back into the soil, enhancing soil structure and adding nutrients and microbial activity, essentially giving life again to the soil.
Glancing across acres of vineyards from afar, we still see naked vines dotted with tiny specks of green leaves, but in the coming months, those specks of green will grow to an ocean of bright green leaves and vine tendrils reaching for the sun. In what will seem the blink of an eye, tiny flowers will bloom and get pollinated, leading to clusters of grapes that swell and ripen (and in the case of red grapes like our Pinot Noir, color and soften up). As with each season, we feel fortunate to have the blessings of mother nature, to be part of the cycle of life of the land, and to share the wines we make with wine lovers from across the country and around the world. Starting about the second week of March, we spotted budbreak, as new leaf growth for the 2008 growing season started pushing out, emerging on the dormant buds of a vine’s “old wood.” This timeframe can be quite critical to the remainder of the season, and we’re keeping a close watch on vineyard developments, hoping that this year will be free of any late spring frost.
Conde Nast Traveler's "Five Perfect Days" feature series recommends a visit to Bouchaine!
"Five Perfect Days in California Wine Country," Conde Nast Traveler, April 2008; online at Conde Nast Traveler website. Conde Nast Traveler's "Five Perfect Days" series provides can't-miss destinations and insider tips. Usually a travel planner local to the destination or someone who's worked extensively planning trips to the area (refered to as "the best travel specialists" by Conde Nast Traveler editors) make the recommendations, which is then researched by a contributing editor at Traveler. In the April 2008 issue, Jackie Richmond, one of the mosted respected travel planners in Napa (and someone who knows the California wine country like the back of her hand), is consulted for her recommendations. Bouchaine is pleased to be recommended on the itinerary for Day One in the California wine country! "...[Bouchaine is] a classic Carneros chardonnay and pinot maker in the part of the valley known as the flatlands, where rolling fields of vines stretch in every direction. In contrast to the rather formal tone at Artesa, where a recording of chanting monks plays constantly in the barrel room, Bouchaine doesn't take itself too seriously..." Bouchaine participates in 2008 Pinot Plus Barrel Auction for the Trade!
Once again, Bouchaine is honored to join its Carneros community and the Carneros Wine Alliance by participating in the 2nd annual PinotPlus Barrel Tasting and Auction at The Carneros Inn, held on Saturday, March 29, 2008. This event is held exclusively for the wine and restaurant trade, our friends old and new. For more information or to register, please visit the Carneros Wine Alliance website at http://www.carneros.com/pinot_plus_2008b.html The Carneros Wine Alliance is an association of Carneros wineries and growers united to help the public discover the distinction, diversity, and authenticity of this renowned wine region. The Alliance is committed to financial, social and environmental sustainability in our community. Bouchaine Vineyards' 5 case barrel lot of Estate Pinot Noir raises $7,000 at the Annual Premiere Napa Valley Barrel Auction
For the second year in a row, Bouchaine’s successful bidder was Glen Knight, owner of The Wine House in Los Angeles, CA. Part of his successful bid is an opportunity to come to Bouchaine and make his final blend from over 30 vineyard lots with winemaker Mike Richmond. 2007 Harvest and Crush continue at Bouchaine
After the start of harvest and crush on August 23, Bouchaine has been moving along at a nice pace (for those of you who enjoy classical music, we'd call it "allegro ma non troppo."). On Monday, September 10, we finished harvesting all of our estate vineyard Pinot Noir. The dry-farmed Gee Vineyard (source of Bouchaine's exclusive Gee Vineyard bottling), which is across the street from us and owned by Dr. Paul Gee, will be picked in the next few days. Winemaker Mike Richmond is still very pleased with how the Pinot has been tasting and looking, ripe but not overtly so, with plump yet small berries and very little raisining. Chardonnay follows soon, likely the middle of next week (September 19)! For more harvest photos, please see our photo journal.
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