Kinkead Ridge Vineyard and an Estate Winery Weblog: Buzz continues

Harvest

Vintage Report 2008
As I write this in late February, the wines from 2008 have been cleaned up and are showing very well. After a cool spring which delayed bloom, the weather turned generally warm and dry until late October. Harvest dates were later than usual due to the late bloom, but full maturity was obtained on all varieties save for Petit Verdot. Brix levels were mid-20s on some varietals. Despite extensive shoot and crop thinning, yields were high, and in some cases higher than desired. Overall, in this winegrower's opinion, 2008 might be the best vintage yet for Kinkead Ridge. Stars for 2008 include the White Revelation (to be released Memorial Day weekend 2009) and the Cabernet Sauvignon (to be released Labor Day 2010). See http://www.KinkeadRidge.com/htm/wines.htm for a description of the past vintages.
Vintage Report 2007
An early bud break meant an early harvest; we were finished by mid-October. Sadly, it also meant several days of 80 degree weather, shoots four inches long, and then an Easter freeze which plunged the vineyard to 28 degrees. All the white wine was affected, to a tragic degree. There will be very little Viognier/Roussanne, little Riesling, and it may not even be worth bottling the Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend. Syrah was also heavily affected. The good news is the long dry ripening season was outstanding for Cabernet; small berries, high sugars. These wines will be reminiscent of Calistoga, higher in alcohol than our general practice.
Vintage Report 2006
As this is written (January 2007), I've had the opportunity to both reflect on the vintage past and taste the wines as they have begun to develop. Going into harvest season, the vineyard was in excellent condition. Crop load and canopy management was on target. Weather deteriorated in mid-September and some of the harvest conditions were as difficult as I've ever experienced. October in particular was troublesome as cold temperatures and excessive rainfall limited maturities. Despite the above, white wines are turning out surprisingly well. Red wines, however, are questionable and many may end up as second label when released in 2008. So far we have had a mild winter and I look forward to a spring with little winter damage and overall good growing conditions in 2007.
Vintage Report 2005
2005 in the vineyard was a vintage of extremes. Unlike 2004 where moisture, heat and humidity were well distributed, it seemed like the heat and humidity would never end. Rainfall came either not at all or in a deluge. Fortunately, harvest turned out mostly dry with only the Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot caught by rain at the end of October. In the winery, most of the fruit came in low in acid and high in sugar. Adjustments were made and fermentations, though quirky, finished well. Overall, the wines show good promise, and for some, 2005 may prove to be the best vintage yet.

We are shipping wine to Andrew Stover, CSW. He has two restaurants in Washington DC This is a unique opportunity to get some national recognition. The two wines we are shipping Andrew called "stunning".

Meanwhile, back in the real world. I had 44 cases of wine in the Blazer to go to the Cleveland area. This is pre-ordered wine. People trust us and our quality, they pre-ordered without even tasting the wine! The Blazer was handling like a large boat, so I annoyed a bunch of people when I was driving 40 mph and they had no chance to pass due to the double yellow lines.

Disaster at the Days Inn, my hotel up there.

After I took my shower, I realized the hot water faucet was broken, and I could not turn it off. So hot water is spewing without rest into the room. The mirrors are so fogged up I couldn't even use the mirror to put makeup on. After an exchange with someone who didn't speak English, constantly using the work "broken" with hand signs, I got to move all my stuff to a new "upgraded" room. Now what is the difference between the room I had and the "upgraded" room. Here it is: a couch; a bottle of complimentary water; a package of microwave popcorn; a complimentary granola bar.

A word to the wise: Order this Revelation blend now if you want it. 90 cases of 150 have been sold. It was released on Memorial Day.

Your friendly wine blogger

Nancy

Owner/Managing Partner, Kinkead Ridge

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Kinkead Ridge Vineyard and an Estate Winery Weblog

The day to day joys and trials of a small ultra-premium all vinifera vineyard and estate winery in historic Ripley, Ohio. The owners formerly owned Chehalem Valley Vineyards in Yamhill, Oregon. Looking for a new challenge, they sold that 40-acre Pinot Noir vineyard to Tony Soter in 1997.

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