The 2004 growing season in the Napa Valley began suddenly with aestival weather in March. Both bud break and bloom were three weeks earlier than usual and both progressed over a short time span. Nonetheless, by mid-June, it was clear we had an exceptionally light set and that the crop would be small. The weather was mild and dry during the months of June, July and August. From late Spring until late summer we enjoyed perfect conditions for slow and even ripening.

In mid-September Mother Nature accelerated our lazy ripening pace and we experienced five days of temperatures above 100 degrees. We sent pickers into some of our parcels to drop large amounts of dehydrated fruit. The following day, 21st of September we began harvest, picking the remaining healthy fruit. We had good phenolic ripeness thanks to our early start in the year.

Elevations on the property range from approximately 450 feet to over 850 feet. The higher altitude offered some protection from the worst of the heat-wave. We waited until early October to pick our last blocks of Cabernet, finishing harvest the on the 12th of October.

2004 is one of our smallest crops ever, averaging 2.19 tons per acre across the entire property.