Fall Harvest in the Organic Vineyard

We just finished the harvest here at 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards. Above is a picture of a beautiful Syrah grape cluster. These grapes will reappear in a couple of years as 2009 Estate Grown Syrah. This should be a very interesting wine.

Right off the bat, we will have more of our Estate Syrah with this vintage. The first block of Syrah grapes, is now 5 years old and almost in full production. The second block of Syrah in 4th leaf, or 4 years old; near full production.

Next the blocks of grapes are different clones of the same grape variety. Block one came from the well respected Joseph Phelps Vineyards mother plant, while block two came from the Tablas Creek Vineyards mother plant.

Each clone shows significant differences in cluster size, shape and yield per vines and even flavor profile. We plan to vinify the grapes separately and blend the resulting wine at as it reaches maturity. I'm really looking forward to tasting the 2009 Estate grown Syrah.

Vineyard Life in Eagle, Idaho

If you are wondering about this picture, here is the whole truth. Tia Markland, editor of Eagle Magazine, called us and wanted to do a story about 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards. She also wanted to put us on the cover. After a lot of discussion, we decided to take the picture in the vineyard, at a bistro table, with Gary and I toasting each other with a glass of our 2008 Viognier.

Well, as we were waiting for our photographer, Otto Kitsinger, to get set up, Gary got up, and starting pulling smaller grape clusters off the vines near him. At this point I said, "Here is your cover, me, waiting for Gary to finish working!" Those of you who know Gary know this to be an accurate portral of us both. Tia and her crew jumped on the idea and here is the result!