Summer is here and the growing conditions have been very favorable in Temecula so far. Actually, the trend shows that this is going to be a nice warm summer. Wine regions in the Central and Northern Coastal areas have been less fortunate, with lower than average temperatures in May, delaying the flowering of the vines, and also delaying the harvest. For the Northern California areas this is going to be a grape grower's year, where proper vineyard care will hugely determine the quality of this year's vintage.

We have sprayed the vineyard to prevent mildew, and had the annual application of an insecticide named "Admire" injected into the irrigation system, protecting our vineyard from being infected by the destructive Pierce's Disease. Pierce’s Disease is a bacterial infection, which is spread by bugs that feed on grapevines, particularly the "glassy winged sharpshooter." Grapevines that become infected with PD can quickly become sick and die.

The vines in our vineyard have finished flowering, and are now in the "fruit set" phase. The grape berries are green and hard to the touch until they reach their final size in 40-50 days, they will then change color (Veraison) and ripen until harvest.