The wine grape harvest has begun here in California. The crop looks high in quality and a little lower in yields. Just the way we like it! This is the time of year when my heart races and I thrive on weeks of little sleep and the high rush of seeing my family’s 28th harvest to begin the transition from grapes to delicious wines. We will pick our estate Sauvignon Blanc at 6:00 am on Aug. 23rd. This is one of my favorite times as my six siblings, the in-laws and all the nieces and nephews gather to celebrate the first grapes of 2008. I will take some photos and post them as soon as possible. If you have a chance, a trip to the California’s Wine Country during harvest is always the best time to experience the rush of harvest and to see behind the scenes in the winemaking process.
Harvest is not the only buzz in Northern California this week. Labor Day Weekend has us at Benziger participating in two amazing events. Sonoma Wine County Weekend celebrates the highly acclaimed food and wines from Sonoma County with a variety of events. There are wine tastings, lunches and dinners throughout Sonoma County. Please visit www.sonomawinecountryweekend.com to see the schedule of great events. The Benzigers will be at the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction helping to raise money for local charities. If you can’t come to the events, you can bid on some of the amazing Sonoma wines and vacation packages through the on-line auction.
In San Francisco, history will be made as the largest celebration of food kicks off with many events honoring food, wine and arts in America. Slow Food Nation is close to my heart as the group also inspires sustainability through out the food systems as we focus on sustainability with wine grapes. The entire schedule of events is posted at www.slowfoodnation.org. You can attend lectures, taste food, listen to music, watch movies, and my favorite – taste wine! Stop into the Demeter Biodynamic® Trade Association’s lounge in the Taste Pavilion and hear mini lectures on Biodynamic farming from us and some of our fellow Biodynamic vintners from Ceago, Paul Dolan, Bonny Doon, Frey, Quivira, Mendocino Farms and Grgich Hills. The line-up of events is impressive and will be sure to shine the spotlight on California’s global leadership with food, wine and mostly importantly to all of us – sustainability of our Earth.
Off to test more grapes and see when they will be ready to harvest. I promise to send photos and updates along the way.
Take good care,
Mike Benziger