FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
Tantric Spring

This spring has been one of the most remarkable I have ever seen in California. Not only at the winery and the Bay Area but all over the state. From 35,000 feet looking out my window on a flight returning from the east coast a few weeks ago I could even see the super bloom on the Carrizo Plain.

At the winery right now we have been rain free for over a month after a season that gave us a record 82 inches since October 1st. Previous record for the last 40 years was 75 inches in 2006 when it rained well into late May and caused one of the latest starts to the growing season I have ever seen. Bud break began at a relatively normal time this year and every vineyard looks great right now. It’s actually amazing to see how dry and firm the surface appears right now after being so wet for so long. Despite the appearance of the surface being firm and dry we can tell there is plenty of moisture just below the surface as we are having a ‘second’ cover crop coming up right now with a fairly vigorous dandelion bloom.