Weather  
Today

The huge slug of rain predicted for yesterday and today has not materialized. We got NO recordable rain at our station at Stoller Vineyards as the cool front moved in, but showering is moving in as I write.

However, there are still almost Cassandran warnings about rain on-and-off over the next 10 days, supposedly dropping up to 2 inches of rain. We'll see, acting prudently but also not flinching as we wait for perfect flavors and physiological ripeness.

Harvest to-date:
Total Tonnage to Chehalem: 100.6 tons

Pinot noir: 64.6 tons
Pinot gris: 26.0 tons
Chardonnay: 10.1 tons

Chile's Pamela Estay prepping barrels

Harvest  2001 October 8 , 2001

APPROXIMATELY HALF DONE, WITH NO REAL RAIN

Harry and Cheryl Planning Where Hurried Harvest Lots Go
Eight AM Instructions for Punchdown

We have scurried over the last week to pick quickly ripening fruit at the perfect time, and have over half of our Pinot noir and almost half our Pinot gris safely in-house. All Pinot noir and Pinot gris from Stoller and Corral Creek Vineyards has been picked, leaving Ridgecrest to withstand any rain that may come.

Ridgecrest is our highest elevation vineyard and is always the last vineyard to pick. Sampling shows it needing five days to a week more hang-time to be where we want it. Being an unirrigated vineyard with moderately deep soils, any rain that falls short of a couple inch deluge can soak-up before going to the fruit. No signs of disease exists there, so we're confident it can hold a long while if necessary.

We are within two days of draining our first Pinot noir fermentation tank and a day of barreling down our first Chardonnay and Pinot gris for barrel fermentation, after settling.

	Mark Rosenstein in normal pose

Mark Rosenstein, our good friend from Asheville, North Carolina, has returned home after giving us two great weeks of winery and kitchen expertise. Thanks! And he has been replaced by John Matzinger from Bellingham, Washington, Michael's father-in-law -- a veteran of last year's harvest.

The rhythm has been set, the rain threats a part of it, and we are hoping for one more week of great weather.