Busy Days in the Cellar

Even though it is not yet Crush, there is still plenty to do in the cellar. Barrels need to be mixed, tested, and filtered, wine is bottled and labeled, and preparations are already being made for this year's harvest season. Last week wine makers Andrew and Griffin sampled and chose coopers for our new barrels. This week new variable capacity tanks arrived. It's like Christmas in April!

Variable capacity tanks are amazing. They allow you to ferment any volume of wine that you would like. They are smaller than your large 1200 gallon + sized tanks, so they are great for small lot, specific fermentations. This makes for more care and hand management of the wine, which results in better wine in the bottle. The tanks come with a lid that seals at whatever level the wine reaches to prevent oxidation.

A good scrubbing will be given before the tanks are put to use, add that to the cellar to-do list. It will be exciting to see them in action this Fall.

Spring Has Sprung at Tranche Vineyards

 The lighting is just right on our sign at the entryway

 Posts placed for new plantings

 A view from near the top of the vineyard

Since the weather was absolutely gorgeous Friday afternoon, it seemed like a good idea to pop over to our vineyard and check in on the new plantings. James, our vineyard manager, and his crew have been hard at work installing the posts, and once the vines are bigger we'll run the trellis wire. What currently looks like sticks in the ground, will soon grow into phenomenal fruit producing vines! We have planted some exciting and truly fun varietals: Viognier, Marsanne, Clairette Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Grenache Blanc, and Rousanne. 

Since it was so nice out and I was already there, I decided to check out some of our other vines that have already been pruned, are embracing the Spring spirit, and are in the beginning stages their growing season. What a lovely way to end the work week!

Cab Sauv Vines

Sangiovese vines on the GDC trellis system

What did you do this beautiful spring weekend?