Winemaking Update, Winter 2011

After the flurry of harvest last autumn, this is the time of year when our winemaking team gets to catch their breath.

Most of the wines have finished malolactic fermentation. The Chardonnays take a little bit longer to go through the process so they are being kept in a temperature-controlled room that is a little warmer than our subterranean cellar otherwise would be, while they finish fermenting.

The aging wines are being stirred on their lees twice a week, as they develop the characteristics that you will see in the finished product.

The winemaking team is also starting to blend the 2009 red wines. This means that they are experimenting with different compositions and deciding on their favorites.

We can't wait for you to try these delicious wines!

Vineyard Update from Artesa's Assistant Winemaker

A cold, wet spring pushed back bud break for three weeks this year and we are now finally experiencing a full bloom everywhere in the Napa Valley. With the current vine growth, the 2010 harvest may start very late and will likely be very hectic.

We have already hired our harvest interns from USA, Spain, Italy, and Australia for this year and we are excited for their arrival. To be honest, we would like to think that harvest is still three more months away but we know it will be upon us very soon.

In preparation, we are busy bottling our '09 Chardonnay, Carneros and '09 Pinot Noir, Carneros and we cannot wait to show you these beautiful wines.

-Nori Nakamura, Assistant Winemaker, Artesa Vineyards & Winery, Carneros, Napa