2024 Grape Harvest: Embracing the Challenges and Celebrating the Rewards
Harvest time is upon us, and the excitement in the air is palpable as we prepare to craft another unforgettable vintage of Le Vigne wines. This year, the journey to harvest has been anything but ordinary, marked by a mix of challenges and triumphs that have tested our resilience and innovation.
The season started with an early frost, threatening the delicate buds in our vineyard. However, our proactive frost protection system, featuring fans that circulate the cold air away from the fruit zone, proved to be a lifesaver, allowing our vines to thrive despite the chill. As the season progressed, we reached the crucial halfway point of veraison, where the grapes shift from vegetative growth to focusing all their energy on ripening. This is the magical time when red varietals begin to change color from green to red, and white varietals from green to yellow or gold. The berries soften, sugars develop, and acidity drops, setting the stage for a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
This year, the harvest will kick off in the last week of August, slightly earlier than usual due to high temperatures in July and August, which accelerated the ripening process. We’ll begin with our white varietals, starting with Sauvignon Blanc, followed by Viognier. Shortly after, we’ll move on to the Sangiovese, with Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot likely not ready until October.
The heat presented its own set of challenges, requiring us to keep the fruit well-shaded to prevent sunburn and damage from the intense sunlight. Despite these hurdles, we’re optimistic about the quality of this year’s grapes. The combination of careful vineyard management and natures own twists and turns has set the stage for what we believe will be a truly exceptional harvest.
As we dig in and get our hands dirty, we're reminded that every vintage tells a story—this one is about perseverance, adaptation, and the joy of crafting wines that capture the essence of the season. Here's to the 2024 harvest and the memorable wines it will bring!
