gA wrote:
> Does anyone know when grapes are going to be available to winemakers,
> this year? Some say that the heat might make the harvest a bit earlier.
> Thanks.
> - gA

So far we are about 2-3 weeks ahead of the 'average' year. And the
weather is perfect... sugars are really starting to shoot upward. And
no heat wave in sight, so should be a good year. Believe it or not, if
we get more than a couple of days in a row of 100 degree plus days at
this time, the vine 'shuts down' sugar production, actually delaying
ripening. Then it takes a week or so of 'normal' temperatures for the
vines to get back to making more sugar.

Harvest date depends on the varietal and location.... Sauvignon Blanc
is being harvested in the Clarksburg area of California (just south of
Sacramento) starting this week. Chardonnay starts next week in the
Central Valley.

First reds will be a few more weeks before first harvesting.

Gene