"Small is Beautiful" Harvest '09 at La Verrière - October 2009

Great weather all summer in Southern Europe spelled an early harvest for everyone, but we’re always several weeks behind our neigbors because of the pronounced altitude, so we didn't start til 3rd weekin September.  We held our breath, figuring it couldn’t possibly last, but it did!  Stunning fruit quality—sweet juice with a kick of freshness-- bodes really well for the wine.  We were joined by Ultimate Good-Guy Jason Barrette, seasoned winemaker for Penfolds who was “lent” to us by Peter Gago, my hero.  Now let me take a minute to digress.  Is Peter just not one of the best guys on the wineplanet?  Have you ever met a winemaker as talented, busy and famous as he is who is still gracious and patient with everyone he meets?  Wow, now THAT’s a role model.  So, where were we.So Jason was here from Australia, and along with awesome Doug Margerum,  took time from his busy vacation schedule to look over our shoulder and swap winespeak with Jean-Louis, as well as Thierry Dhainaut and Thomas Oui, our very capable French oenologists.  We tried out our new small oak fermenters that Doug had recommended to jumpstart fermentation, and this year co-fermented the Viognier with the Syrah for the first time.   Irony of fate:  To mix the grape skins into the juice, Jason & Doug argued in favour of Punch-Down—a classically old-world technique, Thierry & Thomas preferring Pump Over (we use hi-tech peristaltic pumps not to stress the grapes) – a New World favourite.  Jean-Louis played King Salomon and dedicated one tank to each.Lots of good “ambience” thanks to a great harvesting team that included regulars and special guests: our darling daughter Gillian, James, William Shepherd Barron & James, son of Nancy Gilchrist, MW.  I was joined by dear friends Lovely Laura, Jolie Jane and Playful Peter, who charmed us all with his wondrous music - his guitar was one of the stars of this star-studded harvest.