Clark-Claudon’s WeBlog

I love the smell in the winery right now; baby wine all fruity and lively as it goes to barrel.  I pull out the bung allowing all the wonderful aromas to leap out and then I stick in the “thief” to steal a taste.   Following the wines evolution is such a tough job, but someone has to do it!

In the vinyard, the air is crisp and moist.  The fog swirls around me.  The vines are bare and stark with short canes sticking out at strange uniform angles.

These vines do not have some kind of blight, rather they have been pre-pruned.  All the leaves now gone; the wild canes, once controlled by trellis wires, have been cut to about 2 ft.  This early “haircut” supports the health of the vine while  preparing it for the focused decisions made during the final pruning…The 2011 season has begun.

Categories: Educate, Engage, Recent Postings, Uncategorized
Tags: 2011 Season, Clark-Claudon Vineyards

2010 has been like a good suspense novel; luring you in slowly and then waking you up with surprise, intrigue and a great cast of characters.  Of course Mother Nature always has the lead roll, but when you learn to dance with her the results  are amazing!

It is that dance that sets Clark-Claudon apart.  Rather than try to control or manipulate what the terrior and season give us it is the balance & joy of the dance that shows in our wines from vintage to vintage.  This is the true art of winemaking.

Our 2010′s from the Wild Iris Sauvignon Blanc to the Estate Cab are already showing tremendous promise.  As I taste through the lots I know 2010 will not just be good, but rather a great vintage for Clark-Claudon.

Categories: Engage, Recent Postings
Tags: 2010 Harvest, Boutique Wines, Clark Claudon, clarkclaudon, Napa Valley, Napa Valley 2010 Harvest

Given the cool season, this year could turn out to be the best or worst of times. I am betting on the best.  Given the micro climates that make up the Napa Valley, the out come will depend on vineyard location & what Mother Nature hands us over the next weeks.

Right now, the Clark-Claudon Vineyards look better than ever.   The cooler temps are allowing the fuit to mature gradually.  Each day they are a little closer to perfection.  Also, due to location, we were 10 degrees cooler than many other sites during the 2 day heat spike.  And lastly, our retro-fited trellis system accomplished what we had hoped in providing perfect “sun hats.” 

I am absolutely betting on an exceptional vintage!

Categories: Educate, Engage, Recent Postings
Tags: 2010 Harvest, Clark Claudon, Napa Valley 2010 Harvest

Our 2007 Estate Cab will be released tomorrow. The buzz is building! Not only was ’07 the best growing year of the decade, but a meticulous process of tasting, blending and culling led to our smallest production since 1995; only 500 cases.

Our 1995 Estate Cab was included in a Gordon Getty re-play of the Paris Tasting as a prelude to his Imagine Auction in 1998. We were so excited to have our wine included and then extactic to have taken 1st place. The 2007 Estate Cab is a similar wine with beautiful structure, balance and abundant fruit. We can’t wait to release it. This wine will also hold its own with the best of the best!

I had such a good time sharing the 2007 Estate Cab at 2 pre-release tastings in Houston; one for the trade and one at Vin de Garde, a private storage facility.  The buzz started and hasn’t stopped yet!  Once you taste it, you too will be talking!

Categories: Engage, Recent Postings
Tags: 2007 Napa Valley Estate Cab, Napa Valley, Paris Tasting

This is one crazy season.  The wet winter was great; we needed the water.  The cool spring and late bud break was not worth worry.   Even the very moderate weather in June and July still left time for things to warm up.  But now, almost half way into August , it isn’t heating up nor are the vines catching up.  In fact, in most areas verasion is barely beginning or not yet happening at all.

Verasion is the transition from berry growth to ripening. when the fruit begins to turn from green to red for red varieties  or golden for white varieties.  Typically harvest begins 60 to 65 days following verasion.  At Clark-Claudon Vineyards we have begun this process which means our harvest will begin in mid October; 30 days later than usual.  Since  we historically have 3 weeks from the beginning of harvest to the end that means we could finish just in time for Halloween.  Vineyards in even cooler areas might be harvesting right up to Thanksgiving!

There are rumors that this cool system is leaving.  I hope that means a warming trend without any rain in sight!

Categories: Educate, Recent Postings