Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/197178
Halkovich said the winery hasn't conducted elaborate blind tastings of the rejuvenated vines' output, however. "We've tasted the blocks, and the blocks where we've done this have continued to be our best sauvignon blanc blocks," he said. "We haven't seen any decrease in quality at all. We taste them as a committee and we're all in agreement." While the new cordon is developing, the grapes coming off of the new cordon tend to be fairly similar to the grapes growing from the old cordon structure. But, Halkovich noted, the grapes still require monitoring and management during the process. "Particularly in the first year, when you have a cane laid down and a cordon on the same vine, you do have to manage (the two) a little bit differently. At harvest time, we would sample them separately just to see if we're getting different ripening patterns. In most cases, they seem pretty consistent, and we're not seeing Advertise Now Online In Print 707.577.7700 reasons to pick them differently. I suspect that if we're going to see a difference, we may see it with the hillside cabernet, so we're going to have to keep an eye on that." In too many cases, old vines are pulled out because they just can't put out what they did in the past. Halkovich may just have developed the equivalent of a heart bypass for aging vines, preserving their root systems and increasing their productivity. Tim Teichgraeber cut his teeth in retail wine sales before becoming the wine columnist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Today he is a contributor to the San Francisco Chronicle, Tasting Panel, Opus Vino and other publications, when he's not working as an entertainment lawyer in Oakland. Comments? Please e-mail us at feedback@vwmmedia.com. We're Getting Bigger So You Can Get Better Vintage Nurseries...growing with your success in mind. Day after day, we plant and plan at Vintage Nurseries, expanding our product selection and service to meet your growing needs. In an effort to be a reliable source for all of our customers, we strive to maintain the highest standards in the industry. Quite simply, the bigger we get, the harder we work to keep your success and satisfaction our top priority. Wasco— 661.758.4777 Paso Robles — 805.237.8914 Santa Rosa — 707.542.5510 Modesto — 209.523.8036 800.499.9019 • www.VintageNurseries.com Serving the Wine, Table Grape and Raisin Industries 64 V I N E YA R D & WIN E RY MANAGEM ENT | Nov - Dec 2013 w w w. v wm m e d i a . c o m