LOVE, OREGON CHARDONNAY

2016 rolled in with a very early warm spring and consequently bud break started 2 to 3 weeks (depending on the vinryard site) earlier than average. Things popped out quickly and furiously and of course, bloom was early too. There was some spotty weather during bloom, resulting in a somewhat smaller set than the previous couple of years. The summer heat was fairly moderate, which gave us smaller berries and therefore a higher skin to juice ratio. When this happens we get more color and flavor (we like that!). We waited as long as we could to start picking fruit – more hang time delivers more fully ripened flavors, nonetheless we brought in our first fruit (for sparkling)
on September r! We were able to wait two more weeks before we brought in any more Pinot though, and it was all in on October !0th. The vintage is characterized by bright fruit flavors and medium color, but still plenty of depth in the wines.