Monday, December 19, 2011
Wine Blending Open House in the Barn
WINE BLENDING OPEN HOUSE IN THE BARN
SATURDAY, JAN 7th
6PM to Whenever
Do to scheduling conflicts, the date and time has changed
We are blending the 2010 varieties and YOU CAN HELP decide what is the best blend - OR - create your own blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah, Petit Syrah, Tempranillo, Grenache, and Mourvedre.
BE A PART OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS
PLEASE RSVP by responding to this or the Facebook invite post
Bring your favorite crackers and cheese to share
We are looking forward to seeing you in the "heated" barn
Steve & Vicki
Saturday, December 10, 2011
The Cabernet Sauvignon was pressed on Thursday, 8 Dec 11, after 3 weeks of fermentation; and racked on 10 Dec (separating the clear liquid on top from the solids at the bottom).
The wine developed great color and flavor, so all the work pruning the vines this summer paid off. What I have found is that fermenting the grapes for 3 weeks is great to extract the maximum amount of color and flavor, but the grapes have to be of premium quality, which is developed in the vineyard before the grapes are even picked.
Interestingly, if the vine branches get over 4 ft long, they start producing more sugar than sending energy to the grapes and thus a herbaceous flavor is apparent in the resultant wine, which in small amounts is ok, but large amounts detract from the grape and oak flavors.
Consequently, trimming the vines during the summer to limit the length of the vines actually improves the flavor and color of the grapes and wine. Conversely, too much trimming increases the opportunity for the sun to raisin the grapes, which produces a cooked grape or raisin flavor in the wine.
Interestingly, if the vine branches get over 4 ft long, they start producing more sugar than sending energy to the grapes and thus a herbaceous flavor is apparent in the resultant wine, which in small amounts is ok, but large amounts detract from the grape and oak flavors.
Consequently, trimming the vines during the summer to limit the length of the vines actually improves the flavor and color of the grapes and wine. Conversely, too much trimming increases the opportunity for the sun to raisin the grapes, which produces a cooked grape or raisin flavor in the wine.
As for this years Cabernet Sauvignon, I am eager for the first year of aging to end so we can taste the young wine at its first stage of development, which will be late fall 2012.
Cheers, Steve.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were on the vines a little longer than I had planned or wanted this year, but as Vicki says: "Life happens when you are making plans".
The good part of waiting was that the weather cooled off and brought more color to the Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc.
Now that the Cab has gone through an extended fermentation to extract the maximum amount of flavor and color, I am hoping for great wines from this years crop. Based on what the Malbec and Cabernet Franc are already showing in flavor and complexity, I have high hopes for the Cab.
Look for the invite to our Wine Blending Open House in the Barn so you can be part of the "Creative Process".
Cheers,
Steve & Vicki
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
HARVEST TIME!
Harvest time is here...the grapes are ready!
Join us this Saturday, 7:30 am
Breakfast will follow
All are invited!
Please RSVP so we can prepare for the breakfast.
559-299-0477
or email at
info@3oaksvineyard.com
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Greetings from the vineyard!!
Hello from 3 Oaks Vineyard! We are joining the blog world as a way to share what all is going on here. We invite you to follow along as we share the seasons of the vineyard, wine making adventures, along with weddings and parties.
Give us a call and join the Vineyard Club, or coming soon, the Vintners' Club. We will be sharing more about that so be sure to check back often!
Please enjoy some photos of recent weddings at the vineyard.....
Give us a call and join the Vineyard Club, or coming soon, the Vintners' Club. We will be sharing more about that so be sure to check back often!
Please enjoy some photos of recent weddings at the vineyard.....
Photos by Hannah Gaul Photography!
Photo by Hannah Gaul Photography
View of ceremony site next to barn and menu! Photos by Hannah Gaul Photography
A June wedding at 3 Oaks
The pink parasols provided to the ladies for shade played nicely against the green of the vineyard and the sunset went right along with the color scheme!
That should be enough to make you want to come back for more, right? Next time, we will post some pictures of some of the sunsets here at the vineyard; then you will start to understand why some say this truly is an oasis in the city, and why we pinch ourselves to think we get to live here. We do love our time here and feel it is such a blessing to share this with others!
Carpe Vino! Steve & Vicki
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