This year’s growing season has been interesting to say the least. Hailstorms, drought, fire and now rain (I think that we are still missing a plague of frogs to complete the set!).

With all the heat and sunshine this year we had already anticipated that this year’s harvest would be early, and so, perhaps only for the second time in the last 25 years, we will start to pick in August. Ironically, after two months of completely dry weather, last weekend we experienced our first rainfall. The rain has continued on and off for the last few days, but the forecast for heavy rain and storms has not materialised (fingers crossed). We are planning to start on Friday 28th, all being well. Of course, after this rain, if left too long, the bunches could start to develop rot. Friday is our target day, as, depending on which forecast you follow, there is still a possibility of rain. However, as I always say, especially at harvest time, that the best forecast will be to simply open the shutters (on Friday) and look outside!

Today’s picture shows the aftermath of our fire just outside the fence of the bodega some 10 days ago. Although the fire did not take hold on any of our vines, a few of those around the perimeter were scorched, leaving the fruit completely unusable. I have tasted a few grapes from vines a couple of meters inside the fence, and perhaps thanks to the rain, they should probably be OK, albeit we will keep this fruit separated, and pressed apart, just in case.