Your Custom Text Here
I was up at two of the ranches this morning, tasting fruit, talking with the vineyard managers, and snapping photos. Here's a picture that encapsulates a lot of what people are dealing with. A big fat grape, a little tiny grape, and a green grape. And we'd still like a little more heat.
September 1 is the opening day of Dove Season in California and has been a long tradition in our family. This year was no exception. We captured a few of the scenes of the day and naturally paired our birds with some Double Barrel Cabernet.
I was fortunate enough to spend a little time in the vineyard with long-time family friends and two men dedicated to the vineyard and wine business, Frank and Mike Saviez. The Saviez Family has been managing vineyards and making wine for several generations in Napa Valley and the San Joaquin Valley. I was able to hook up with them in Fresno while they harvested some Albarino, Pinot Grigio, and a hot weather clone of Pinot Noir they're working with.
The pictures below are of Frank and a scene that sums up the less glamourous side of winemaking; a small truck (that kicks up tons of dust), some brightly colored trays, a new clone to taste, clear skies and 88 degree heat at 8:30am. Of course, all just another day to Frank Saviez, the sage of the San Joaquin.
What a busy week for us at Mastro Scheidt Wines!
We are all very pleased with how things turned out on Monday for our first bottling. Everyone was armed with a camera to get pictures of the first bottling line we've run. Total evolvement too, from Marco pressing prototype labels onto the bottles for the line, Tom (T.L.) working the hand-corking machine for magnums, to John showing the "Feats of Strength" tossing used barrels into the pickup (and making a much needed lunch of sandwiches).
This day was also a reminder to the generations before us, both Italian and German that tradition is all around us and binds the galaxy together (wait that's The Force). Seriously, tradition is what keeps us in touch with those around us, both young and old; and allows a common thread for us to each weave into our daily lives. Days like today each of us will carry for the rest of our lives and hopefully on to another generation.
Lots of emotion, time, expense, and manpower went into yesterday's bottling efforts. When we arrived on site, one of the first things everyone noticed was our stack of Claret bottles, a couple palates worth. On top of the palates we were shocked to see a new winery name, Maestro Schietz.
Scheidt. Right, I get it. My Dad gets it. My brother gets it. Scheidt is not an easy name to say or spell and is often shouted in vain. But Mastro? Maybe it's the old Seinfeld reference to "The Maestro", who knows, but I thought Mastro was 10 times easier to spell than Scheidt.
This one spelling error was the only glitch in yesterday's bottling. We'd personally like to thank the bottling crew at Mill Creek and of course, David and Fabian for their help (and driving the forklift)
The whole gang will be in Healdsburg on Monday to bottle all of the 2007 Cabernet. Everything is ready for a official release of the wines Labor Day Weekend in Fresno. We have a few details to work out as to venue and food, but rest assured, Mastro-Scheidt Double Barrel Cabernet will be poured September 1 during dinner on opening day of Dove season.
While I've been doing several dinners in Healdsburg lately, I had the opportunity to cook in Fresno with some good friends. John and Falina Marihart opened their home and Chef Tommy Chavez worked with me to create a wonderful evening with food, wine, and friends.
As we look to Harvest 2011, I was out inspecting several other vineyards today, all Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon. Looking at a couple different blocks of Clone 15 and 337 here in the hills.
A few of the guys got together to see what the rains had done to a small vineyard of Garnacha and to make some guesses about what the harvest might yield on this younger set of vines.
Finally some hot weather has brought in some decent tomatoes. Unfortunately, it's still overcast most mornings in Dry Creek Valley. Here are some Saturday morning shots of the market.
