2007 - A NEW HARVEST... OUR NEW WEBSITE...

This year, we have a new website and we plan to keep it active with almost daily changes during the Harvest 2007 period.  Our website guy, Bob Russell, is long time customer who, along with his wife has retired to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Even when sailing, sometimes even in the fog, Bob keeps the site current through daily contact with us at Preston.

The grape business in California is full of new opportunities for home winemakers to access grapes and juices that were previously unavailable.  We obviously have to limit our order forms to what we feel are the best deals considering both quality and price.  The chances are that some other grapes could be offered to us on a 'one-time' basis so the website will become our primary information source under these circumstances, so check back often to see what is available.  With our strong relationship with Peter Brehm, the development of the Brehm Vineyards frozen grapes and juices will also evolve over the next month or two and we will have more wine and grapes news to share with you.

2007 HARVEST

Conditions

This has been a beautiful weather year thus far in California.  The lack of rain has reduced the size of berries and varieties such as Cabernet and Merlot should show well this year.  Lack of spring rains has reduced disease pressure so bunches are clean.  The harvest will be early this vintage and may come all at once.  The end of August is showing hot temperatures in regions away from the coast.  The short term forecast is for dry and sunny conditions.

See additional information on California in our PREVIOUS NEWSLETTER.

2007 GRAPES AND JUICES:

Ordering

Because of the early grape season, there will not be much time to order some fresh grapes and juices this year.   The timing and feasibility of white varieties to be shipped is also in question. 

To help all customers who may have questions, we have set aside two days at our retail desk at Preston Hardware to help winemakers finalize their information and orders.  On Thursday, September 6 from 12 noon to 7:00 pm and on Friday, September 7 from 12 noon to 7:30 pm, Mac MacDonald will be on hand to answer any questions and offer up to date information, especially on white wine varieties. [Rumor has it that samples of previous years will be available!!!]  If you can’t make it to the store, please call us, since the order deadline for many grapes is the close-of-business, Friday, September 7^th, 2007.

California Central Valley

The packing houses of Classico, Triboro Fruit Company and Delta Packing will have many varieties available starting Tuesday, September 4^th. 2007.  The companies supply grapes at affordable prices and there will be a complete roster of available grapes.  Mosti Mondiale will again supply juice beginning mid-September.

Premium Fresh Grapes and Juices

There are a number of new areas that we are sourcing for fresh grapes and juices this harvest.  Amador County, Mendocino and Paso Robles are three proven quality growing areas.  The Lodi appellation has now been split into 7 American Viticulture Area (AVA) including Clement Hills.  Clement Hills is significant because it is the home of the Clement Hills Red Dirt Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel.  Mac MacDonald was at the vineyard in late June with Ann Sturges and Julio Mastro of Triboro Fruit Company when the deal was closed for them to contract the grapes.

Vino Con Brio is a small quality-oriented winery just a few miles from Delta Packing.  They have made an award winning name for themselves with excellent and diverse wines.  You can find out more about these new sources at www.vinoconbrio.comm and www.appellationamerica.com

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