harvest reports
Harvest 2003
There is really not much to say about the 2003 growing season except that we want them all to be like this one! Spring brought the maturity of our cover crops—a lush mixture of oats, vetch and peas—that cradle our soils through winter’s cold and wet months. Once tilled, these cover crops encourage microbial activity, fertilizing our vines and feeding the earth. Just as the cover crops complete their cycle in the vineyard, the Spottswoode Vineyard crew gears up for their busy season. Dictated by the demands of nature, the focus of our labor during late spring and throughout summer is to create and maintain the ideal canopy to ripen to perfection our Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
This year, the success of our harvest was aided by the diligent cane tucking, calculated leaf removal, and careful fruit thinning performed by our seasoned crew. With the addition of a new on-site weather monitoring station, our irrigation scheduling was easier than ever. The result? A balanced canopy, willing and able to maintain just the right berry size, to filter light, and to apportion water and nutrients as needed to produce the lush blackberry, silky tannins and beautiful balance that are characteristic of Spottswoode Estate’s wines.
As always, good wine is made by many hands. This season, I’d like to particularly thank David, Brad and all of the staff at Abreu Vineyard Management for their attention to the many details at the Spottswoode Estate Vineyard.
—Rosemary Cakebread, Winemaker
