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Sip into sunshine

Santa Ynez Valley’s Slippery Winter and the 2023 Harvest

Winemakers and their teams have been knee-deep in the grape harvest lately, but that will soon come to a close — so it’s time to explore what this season’s bounty holds for your wine glass. Spoiler alert: it’s looking incredibly promising! So grab your corkscrew and join us as we venture into the vineyards and raise a glass to a bountiful 2023 vintage.

A Drenching Winter

The Central Coast of California, known for its wild west landscape and vineyard-dotted hills, had quite a watery winter this year. If you’re a resident of the Central Coast, you won’t soon forget last season’s rainy days and soggy bottoms (unless, of course El Niño gives us another walloping this year!). While many were cursing their umbrellas, winemakers were secretly doing rain dances of joy (yes, it’s a thing). The region enjoyed a generous dose of precipitation that left the soil saturated and the grapevines grinning from root to vine tip.

Grapes Fancy a Good Drink

Grapevines, like you, enjoy a good drink now and then. The bountiful rains of winter brought a sigh of relief for these thirsty vines, which have been battling drought conditions in recent years. While the unusually wet winter was followed our typical warm, dry summer, the saturated soils contributed to some delightfully plump, hydrated grapes.

The Time is Ripe

The timing of harvest is like the Goldilocks factor for winemakers. Thanks to the wet winter, the harvest season was extended, allowing winemakers to select grapes at their peak of ripeness. This extended picking window gave vintners more flexibility to create a wide range of wines, from early-harvest varietals (such as chardonnay and pinot noir) to those harvested later for more complex and structured wines (such as cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and sangiovese).

Flavors to Savor

Healthy vines make happy wines! The 2023 vintage promises to be a flavor-packed affair. With the perfect balance of rain and sun, expect your 10,000 taste buds to party on your palate with ripe fruit notes, intermingling with the region’s signature earthy undertones. This year, wine enthusiasts will have an even wider selection of flavor profiles to explore.

Dionysus has sprinkled magic on our vineyards, and the winemakers are now moving onto crushing and pressing—the next phase of turning grapes into pleasure. So, wine lovers, get ready for the sinful deliciousness of this year’s harvest, and cheers to a wet and wonderful year of wine in the Santa Ynez Valley!

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