The Conclusion of Another Great Harvest Season
The 2020 harvest was a great success due to the mostly hot/dry sunny days throughout most of the summer and fall seasons. The grapes ripen best when they have plenty of sunshine and "mostly dry" weather as they mature for picking day. Our first varieties harvested were Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio in late September. Our last varieties to harvest were Cabernet Sauvignon in lake October and a late harvest style Riesling in early November. The traditional harvest season has ended, however we do plan to pick two acres of Vidal Blanc ice wine grapes as soon as Mother Nature provides at lease 17 degree F or below weather for a few day duration. In the past, this typically takes place late December or as late as the end of January depending on the conditions ice grapes require to increase the Brix "sugars" in the frozen grapes.
The high quality grapes from the 2020 harvest have resulted in exceptional quality wines as most of our white wines have finished fermentation. The red wines are currently finishing secondary fermentation or "MLF" (Malolactic Fermentation) that converts the bitter malic acid into the more rounded off lactic acid for a more pleasant mouthfeel and taste. As 2020 comes to a close, the Laurello winemaking tea has been very busy preparing all the new wines to release before the end of the year and early 2021.
Here's a quick sneak peak of the new releases:
2019 Riesling off-dry- Available Now
2019 Pinot Noir- Available Now
2019 Cosmo Bourbon Barrel Aged-Available Now
2019 Sweet Genevieve Ice Wine-Available late December
2019 Cabernet Franc- NEW Coming soon in early 2021
2019 Montepulciano- NEW Coming Soon
On behalf of the Laurello Vineyards winemaking team we would like to thank you for enjoying our award-winning wines throughout the year. We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and healthy New Year!
Salute'
The Laurello Vineyards Winemaking Team,
Larry and Kim Laurello
Brad Indoe
Bob Wilhelm
Ben Langan