Check out this article on Zinfandel and Primitivo, referring to the two grapes as “Identical Wine Vino Cousins…”
Zinfandel wines denote California grown, yet DNA tests reveal that the variety is of European descent with “the same DNA as the Italian grape Primitivo.”
Also interesting in this article is the discussion of the uniqueness of Zinfandel grape clusters, which states that the berries in the clusters do not ripen evenly, producing “unique flavor dynamics… There is bright acidity from slightly underripe grapes, perfect fruit flavors from the ripe berries, and concentration and depth from the slightly withered or overripe ones.”
We used to have Zinfandel vines planted at Lafond Vineyard, until as recently as 2004, but as we get to know our vineyard site better with each year, we have discovered that the Sta. Rita Hills are a bit too cool to successfully grow consistent quality Zinfandel. Replantings of Pinot Noir is a result of this key cool climate (warm days, cool nights, and a long growing season) aspect to our vineyard.
Joanie Hudson, Director National and International Marketing, Santa Barbara Winery / Lafond Winery & Vineyards
To order Santa Barbara Winery Primitivo
We had a great time pouring at the 2009 Harvest Festival this past Saturday — the wines and the turnout were spectacular.
I love the setup of this Festival. Though they attempt to make it alphabetical, it never quite turns out that way, and it can be a maze to find what you’re looking for. But that causes guests to stumble upon wineries or restaurants that they may have otherwise passed if only going by their checklist of places they know they like.
I talked to a handful of people who were pleased with their happy accidents. The venue is beautiful — a grassy, soft hilled area at Rancho Sisquoc Winery in Santa Maria. White tents are backdropped by the rolling Santa Ynez hillsides, blue skies, and grazing livestock.
I was prepared for cold, as when we left Downtown Santa Barbara a little before 11, it was socked in grey. But once we passed over the 154 Highway, that sock quickly disappeared and it was all blue skies from there…
Santa Barbara Winery poured seven wines:
2007 Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Chardonnay
2007 Chardonnay Reserve
2007 Riesling 7.3%
2008 ZCS
2006 Lagrein
2006 Petite Sirah
The Petite Sirah was a perfect match with the individual lamb legs served up by Solvang’s new restaurant, Root 246. Delicious.
Joanie Hudson, Director National and International Marketing, Santa Barbara Winery / Lafond Winery & Vineyards
Today was a big Harvest day for Chardonnay. Winemaker Bruce just told me that we got in about 85 tons (ONE ton is about 2000 pounds!) of the varietal, which makes up the largest portion of our total production. Chardonnay came in from our newer block of Wente clone at Lafond Vineyard, Thompson Vineyard, and Los Alamos.
Tomorrow Joughin Vineyard Primitivo (genetically identical to Zinfandel) is coming in. Also, Thompson Vineyard Petite Sirah will come off the vines and into Lafond Winery.
Fork lifts are still beeping, and I’m making some export stickers for bottles going to Germany (2006 Lagrein and 2008 Orange Muscat).
If you like the music on our website, come see Chris Fossek live at Lafond Winery’s Open House this Saturday October 10, 10am-5pm. And even if you don’t, you should still come…
Joanie Hudson, Director National and International Marketing, Santa Barbara Winery / Lafond Winery & Vineyards
I took a day trip out to Lafond Winery yesterday to catch up with our winemaker, Bruce, and see how the red wine harvesting was progressing. Little did I know I would find myself ten feet deep in a fermentor bin with a shovel and rubber boots halfway through the day. I now longer need to ask myself how our production staff can be completely covered in all things grapes and water by the end of each Harvest day.
Pinot Noir is the first to come off of the vines, and we started harvesting it a couple of weeks ago (early September). After the fruit comes off of the vines, it is crushed and subsequently fermented over an approximately two week period on the skins. Depending on the size of the lot the fruit ferments in an appropriately sized vessel.
Yesterday, we pressed the juices off of the skins that had finished fermentation inside of the stainless steel containers. The free run juice is first extracted from the vessel and then it is a more laborious process to get the rest of the juice. After the free run juice is pumped out, the bin is left full of the remaining grape skins. We then shovel out those skins into bins, which are then taken out to the press. For the skins that we cannot reach from just shoveling from the outside through a relatively small whole, I put on my gear and hopped into the bin. Let me just say, after this experience, my respect for our production staff sky rocketed, my arms are exploding with soreness this morning. But how fun! Then we sprayed down the tanks and got them squeaky clean and took all of the bins full of skins to the delicate press, which extracts the remainder of the juice that needs to be gently separated.
This was just one day, don’t ever let anybody tell you that winemaking is “easy.”
If you are local or in the area, come visit the Lafond Winery and Santa Barbara Winery Tasting Rooms to experience Harvest first-hand.
Joanie Hudson, Director National and International Marketing, Santa Barbara Winery / Lafond Winery & Vineyards
I got back to the winery today after a week-long sales trip to New York and Washington DC, and I can’t express enough how happy I am to come back to the daily ongoings of Harvest. No room for jet lag here as the energy of the press and production staff keeps me very upbeat.
Lafond Vineyard Riesling is coming in today. This Riesling is newly planted, and this year marks the first year of fruit from the new plantings – about a ton per acre. Bruce works with the fruit once it comes in to determine stylistic balance between acids and sugars to create differing levels of dryness for multiple bottlings. Riesling is currently one of five varietals we have plated at our estate vineyard, the others include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Grenache.
Once the grapes come in, the juice is pressed off of the skins, then chilled, racked, and subsequently fermented (within the next week). We already have Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Orange Muscat fermenting in the stainless steel tanks (plus two barrels of Sauvignon Blanc). We are still waiting for a little bit more Sauvignon Blanc to come in from La Presa Vineyard and then the “tsunami of Chardonnay barrels in,” says Assistant Winemaker Ryan Ralston.
Joanie Hudson, Director National and International Marketing, Santa Barbara Winery / Lafond Winery & Vineyards
During the early morning Labor Day hours, we received Pinot Gris at the Santa Barbara Winery facility (white wines are made at the SBW facility and reds made at Lafond facility). The grapes bounce along down the freeway by truck with acids and sugars in balance and arrive at the winery for the eagerly awaiting production staff.
Once the grapes arrive, they are immediately transported by fork lift and bin to our Bladder Press, a machine which gently squeezes the juice from the skins and stems. The tiny clusters become a mass of discarded grape materials once the precious clear juice is pressed off.
All the while the tasting room staff is giddily nibbling on tiny grapes, answering questions on the Harvest for tasters, and getting used to the constant beeping of the moving fork lift.
The clear juice is then transferred to stainless steel tanks for fermentation, where sugars are converted to alcohol by yeast.
If you have never tasted a wine grape or sipped on some grape juice before it is turned to wine, come by the Tasting Room during Harvest and witness the winemaking process.
The recent heat spike caused sugar levels to rise quickly and hastened ripeness.
Joanie Hudson, Director National and International Marketing, Santa Barbara Winery / Lafond Winery & Vineyards
Yes, Labor Day Weekend is here, it’s true…
Back to school, grapes to the press, juice to the barrel, shorter days, and cooler temperatures…
No rest or holiday for the winemaker this weekend as the hot temperatures hastened ripe fruit and rising sugars. We have started Harvest here at Santa Barbara Winery with Sauvignon Blanc being the first picked. It was two years ago that fruit was picked to go into our currently released Sauvignon Blanc.
In honor of the closing of summer and Labor Day Barbeques, the Tasting Room is having a Limited Time Case Special on our 2007 Sauvignon Blanc. Special Case Price is 144.00 (12 750mL bottles / case).
So how do you choose wines for your Labor Day Grill Out? The same way you choose for any other outdoor summertime gathering… choose what you like! But if you need a little bit of direction… Try a Syrah with your spiced Ribs or Beef, ZCS with your burgers, and Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay with fish, chicken or shrimp…
Joanie Hudson, Director National and International Marketing, Santa Barbara Winery / Lafond Winery & Vineyards
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed September 2009 California Wine Month for the fifth consecutive year. Recognizing the positive impact of the more that 200-year-old agricultural tradition, the proclamation praises the wine community’s many contributions.
California Wine Month occurs in the heart of Harvest, the busiest and most rewarding time for vintners. The California wine industry is an integral part of the California economy – the state is the fourth largest wine producer in the world and makes 90 percent of American wine (www.discovercaliforniawine.com).
Please visit the Discover California Wine website to see special events taking place during the month of September to celebrate and recognize the California Wine Industry (and to read “10 Reasons to Love CA wine“!).
Joanie Hudson, Director National and International Marketing, Santa Barbara Winery / Lafond Winery & Vineyards
Published on
August 21, 2009 in
Harvest.
Tickets have gone on sale for the 2009 Celebration of Harvest Festival hosted by the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association and held at Santa Maria’s Rancho Sisquoc Winery. This is an interesting time for consumers to come and converse with winery representitives to see how the 2009 Harvest is coming along. The annual festival will be held this year on Saturday, October 10 from 1-4pm.
Tickets can be purchased on the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association Website
The annual Celebration of Harvest is held in October each year, when we’re in the thick of the winegrape harvest and winery staff take a needed break to showcase their latest wines, many newly bottled! This year’s Celebration of Harvest will be held on October 1oth from 1 to 4pm, and once again on the beautiful grounds of Rancho Sisquoc Winery in the Santa Maria Valley.
Tickets are now on sale for $65 per person in advance ($75 at the door).
Local restaurants, caterers and food suppliers will showcase their talents and produce by providing delicious samples. Live music from several bands will keep our toes tapping. An important part of the Celebration of Harvest is the Silent Auction – your chance to own some very special bottles of wine.
And as it’s always a great idea to include a designated driver in your party, we will also offer a special designated driver ticket. DD’s enjoy the event, complete with all the food, the entertainment, non-alcoholic beverages and our sincere thanks for keeping our roads safe. Or, a lot of folks will leave the driving to us and take the bus! Festival buses will bring visitors directly to the Festival grounds, and return them to the pickup location at the end of the day.
The Vintners’ Visa is a four-day pass to 12 participating wineries, each of whom will pull out all the stops just for Vintners’ Visa holders. The Vintners’ Visa can be used at participating wineries from Friday through Monday, so make it a long weekend!
In addition to the Celebration itself, and the special treats offered through the Vintners’ Visa, many member wineries will host special events – from winemaker dinners to Open Houses to tours and tastings at wineries not generally open to the public, there’ll be a full slate of events during the long weekend.
Celebration of Harvest Festival – $65
October 10th, 1 – 4pm
Joanie Hudson, Director National and International Marketing, Santa Barbara Winery / Lafond Winery & Vineyards
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