The 2016 growing season began with winter rainfall that was well below average. Due to the warmand drier than normal winter conditions that prevailed into the early spring period, bud break occurred about 10 days earlier than normal. Late spring rainfall occurred through the month of April and extended into early May which created uniform grape vine growth. Vine growth was healthy due to warm days and cool nights throughout June and July. Cool weather in the late summer led to some extra hang time for uniform crop development and ripening. Veraison started in early August and due to the cool weather in the evenings, the fruit retained its natural acidity and developed intense color with ripe flavors. We harvested the fruit at the end of September.
