Sounds of Ampelos Harvest Update
Finally have a quiet morning! Sitting here on our property outside of Los Alamos catching up on things as I look over a beautiful morning in this little valley watching the neighbor ranch horses grazing around and our three chocolate labs sniffing the property and playing tug-of war. Enjoying my morning latte from Plenty-on-Bell appreciating the wonderful Santa Barbara morning sun.
HARVEST!
Nice harvest morning picking Syrah while a SpaceX is launching in the back...
Harvest is almost over and we got the last couple of ton in a week ago with Grenache from the vineyard and Carignane from Happy Canyon. And what a great harvest it has been! We got off to a little bit of a late start with Pinot Noir from the vineyard starting September. Had just a couple of warm days late in the month so we could make good and conscious picking decisions. Sugar and acids developed nicely although a little slow due to the chilly Sta. Rita Hills nights and mornings – we love it that way! Last Pinot pick was October 13 the night before we got a big 2 inch rain storm. Syrah and Grenache have more hardy berries and looser clusters so they did fine with a good shower. We also finished picking Syrah two weeks ago after Rebecca and I visited the vineyard and decided that the grapes were ready – all picked on flower and fruit days!
Rebecca feeding clusters of Pinot Noir into the destemmer.
At the winery Jesse and Matt have be joggling with picking bins, fermenters, tanks, barrels, de-stemmer, press, pumps etc. trying to find a logical and optimal position for it all. And as soon as they did more grapes would arrive and the puzzle started over again. With their 13/8 years on the back at Ampelos they sure have found the magical formula and it is with big pleasure that Rebecca and I observe the cleanliness and organization of our winery.
We are now about 70% barreled down and there are still fermentations and extended macerations going on. We plan to have the last barrels filled right before Thanksgiving and all get a chance to rest over the Holidays.
Mallorca Winemaking
Hands-on Winemaking with Søren on Mallorca
The wine I made together with Søren Svenningsen at BiniVista on Mallorca at the 2023 harvest has entered its final journey and is now all bottled up and ready to go. This has been a real interesting project for me to do! Working in a different and great climate, interesting soils, new equipment (although I preferred our “old” hands-old style), new varietals and wonderful people was really a great pleasure and a wonderful experience.
When I visited the island in April we created the final two blends and when Rebecca and I visit Denmark for Christmas we will together with Søren and Marie celebrate with an official release party. More information for our Danish friends is coming...
Final label for the Binivista project
Wine Travel
Visit to Valle de Guadelupe, Mexico
As you know Rebecca and I love wine travel. And this year has not been any different. Three trips to Mexico where we, with pleasure, are watching how the wine industry is rapidly developing. Like in Valle de Guadelupe where it is really just two decades old. Such a great new frontier feel as they are discovering which varietals works the best in their climate and soils – and the food scene is truly amazing. At our visit to Japan, we also experienced how this is another up-and-coming wine region with a very good potential.
Early in the summer we drove up to Washington and spent time in Umpqua wine region in Oregon – great Syrah and Tempranillo. And off course a couple of days in Willamette Valley where we visited some of our favorite producers.
We are now planning 2026 which will also include a number of wine region visits. Like H C Andersen said: “To travel is to live”!
Enjoying a glass in Willamette Valley
All the best from Rebecca and Peter!
Be good to yourself and others - and enjoy great wine!