VineBuzz

Ralf Holdenried, head of the winemaking team at the William Hill Estate in Napa, introduces us to the detailed considerations he makes in planning, scheduling, and reconsidering the order and timing of the harvest. During the six-week harvest cycle, he thoroughly enjoys long days in the vineyard examining the vines and tasting many varieties of grapes. He tracks sugar levels and tannin development; chews on berries and skins to determine which parts of which blocks are the most ripe and ready for harvest. As he sets the schedule for harvest, he reviews that decision over the next day or three. The onset of heat waves, rain, and likelihood of frost forces adjustments to these decisions.