Spring Bud Break

Well, it’s mid-April and the valley is beginning to “green-up” with bud break at about 90%. Seeing the new shoots emerge always brings a mix of excitement and surprise! Is it really spring already? Are all of our bottling materials ordered? What is Accuweather saying about the weather? All of these thoughts wake us from our winter slowdown, and we realize once again that mother nature is always present, marking time for us with the change of seasons.

For Rafael Llamas, ZD’s Vineyard Manager, it will mean long days ahead of mowing cover crop, fixing broken stakes, replanting vines, and of course making sure the wind machines are in good working order and ready to go in the event of a frost. After last year’s difficult frost season, every one is a bit nervous, however, we are almost past the most dangerous part of the season. Usually by the third week of April the risk is over, and Rafael can finally get a good nights sleep!

For us in the cellar, its time to check in with the 2008 wines. The 2008 Chardonnay blends are cold-stabilizing in tank as I write this, and the Pinot Noir is blended and resting in barrel until July. With a few more tastings, we should have our 2008 Cabernet blends figured out and before you know it we’ll be talking about bottling and harvest. Wow, is it spring already??

On a side note, we just released our 2007 Rosa Lee Petit Sirah. This wine is absolutely delicious, and only 500 cases were produced. Order now, as its available only thorough the winery! Celebrate spring in ZD-style.

~ Chris Pisani, Winemaker