Sometimes “normal” is a good thing!
Indeed, after a wet winter and spring, the 2017 harvest signaled a return to the pre-drought days at Margarita Vineyard, with a long growing season once again stretching into November for late-ripening varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon. This is, in a word, normal for us.
“We cruised right along at what you might call a typical pace this year, if you’re looking at it from a 10-year perspective,” says Director of Winemaking Mike Sinor. “When things were really dry in recent years, we were picking our early-ripening varieties starting in August. This year, our harvest began September, which is how it typically was at Margarita Vineyard before the drought really kicked in.”
People often remark about how our wines exhibit a unique balance of full flavors with structure and acidity—and these qualities are a direct reflection of our long growing season and later harvests at Margarita Vineyard. And this year will be no different.
“I like what I am seeing and tasting in the fruit this year,” says Winemaker Stewart Cameron. “We are getting the ripe flavors we want, but with really nice structure as well.”