Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/123973
machine-harvested," said Ahvenainen, who uses the latest-generation Pellenc harvester and points to tremendous improvements in machine harvesting. "We're making a very delicate wine where all of the issues relating to phenolic extraction really show through," he said. In 2012, Ahvenainen's sites in Russian River Valley required no preliminary passes prior to night harvesting, as they are typically leaf pulled throughout the growing season. "We only make an advance pass if there are quality issues that necessitate it and we're not sorting fruit at the winery unless there's a need." Night work has also resulted in tremendous energy savings for Korbel. "Because we're working with cold fruit, we don't have to cool 200ton tanks of juice," Ahvenainen said. For Steve Leveque, director of winemaking at Hall Wines in Napa Valley, fruit temperature is also a key factor in his decision to pick at night and during the early morning hours. Leveque said he prefers hand harvesting the sauvignon blanc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon grown on the winery's 500 acres of estate vineyards and then running the fruit through a Vaslin Bucher Oscillys destemmer and Vistalys optical sorter. "If the fruit is picked during the heat of the day, the skins will sheer off, resulting in too much extraction. It can't get through the destemmer intact," he said. With 80% of the pinot noir and chardonnay designated for Walt, Hall's newest project sourced from sites in Sonoma County, Santa Rita Hills and Willamette Valley, being night-picked, Leveque's goal is to see it all come in at dawn. "We've convinced at least one vineyard management company to start picks at 4 a.m., but when you're hand picking, you're at the mercy of the labor supply," he said. Leveque continues to trial machine harvesters but for now, he's focused on Biodynamic winegrower Jeff McBride says wines made from night-harvested grapes are more vibrant than those picked during warmer hours. ScareWindmill To birds windmill looks like a flock of birds taking offin fright. Improved double bearing for longer life. 36" dia. blades that repel birds in up to a two acre area. Effective for birds in vineyards, fruit trees, and blueberries. Effective on wild turkeys. 30 day unconditional money back guarantee. $79 plus shipping JWB Marketing To order call:(800) 555-9634 www.birddamage.com w w w. v w m media.com M a y - J u n e 2 0 13 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 59