Sierra Foothills/Nevada County Veraison Report and Water Notes: Montoliva/Chicago Park & Sierra Starr/Grass Valley

Mark L. Henry of Montoliva Vineyard & Winery, Chicago Park, CA., writes:

“ Ripening is more spotty than I would have thought it would be. Bloom tends to come later at 2,300' elevation than most other areas of Northern California, and the June 4th thunderstorm (with some hail mixed in) may have thrown my Sangiovese and Aglianico off its game. Lots of green fruit mixed in with the ripening fruit. 

Starting this weekend I will go through and drop perhaps a third to a half of the fruit that hasn't turned. Right now I'm anticipating harvest at the end of September...which, while later than most of the rest of the state, is still better than the Halloween harvest we had last year.”

ABOUT WATER: “Here in Nevada County we are pretty far up-stream, so no real issue with water availability. Here at Montoliva Vineyard & Winery we use drip irrigation.”

Phil Starr of Sierra Starr Winery and Starr Vineyards, Grass Valley, Nevada County, reports:

Sierra Starr vineyards Aug 2012
in late afternoon sun

”We have veraison in all our varieties. Crop looks extremely good at this point. Forecasted weather is perfect for finishing off this crop. Harvest dates look about normal. Was expecting early but believe the crop is large enough to counter early spring.”







HISTORICAL TIDBIT about CHICAGO PARK:

“Chicago Park was originally settled by first generation Italian Americans that immigrated here from Chicago, Illinois.  Chicago Park and the vineyards therein bear witness to their desire to create a community in the unsettled west that in many ways reflected their homeland.  “