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January 2017 WINES&VINES 123 VINTAGE 2016 Tired of etched wine glasses? 800.991.9380 proinfo@mieleusa.com 8 www.miele-pro.com • Quietly cleans glasses in just 15 minutes without etching or residue • ADA compliant and NSF certifed, fnal rinse temp. of 185º F • No rinse aid required for a fawless fnish • Accommodates commercial baskets Miele's PG 8061 is the ideal solution for your tasting room and winery: A one of a kind dishwasher for your one of a kind winery. Email proinfo@mieleusa.com to request a free brochure. SAVES OPEN WINE FROM OXIDATION "KEEPS WINE FRESH " rier Preventing Wine Oxidation 100% PRODUCT GUARANTEE www.VineyardFresh.com Gary@VineyardFresh.com TASTING ROOM MUST HAVE LEARN MORE to late August for still wines. The mild winter was almost a repeat of last year with minimum tempera- tures in January and February re- maining above 32° F and staying mostly in the 40°s, which caused buds to push before March. Rain- fall in March filled soil profiles and most vineyard reservoirs, ensuring an adequate water supply for ir- rigation. It was a long bloom, which is common in mild winters, but this year temperatures were warmer in May and June so most—but not all—growers had better fruit set. Yields in 2016 were at or just below average. March was mild and wet with more than 10 inches of rainfall, and temperatures were above freezing. March and April had highs in the 70°s and 80°s, re- spectively. In the warmer regions, there were only a few days of tri- ple-digit temperatures in June and July and fewer during harvest. Warm periods were short stretches of highs in the 90°s. In both September and October, most daily highs ranged from the 70°s to the 90°s, which allowed for slower ripening. Powdery mildew control was a challenge. The weather was ideal for rapid spore production, and the labor shortage meant that canopy management was signifi- cantly delayed, which increased disease. Cooler areas saw a greater incidence of worms. Vine mealybug continued to spread into new blocks. Demand for Sonoma County grapes outstrips fruit supply, and while overall yields were better than in 2015, buyers wanted more, and in general grape prices increased. The labor shortage was evident and more severe. Starting with pruning, many vineyard farming practices performed on individ- ual grapevines were done late. Growers increased the acreage they machine picked, and more fruit destined for high-end pro- grams was mechanically harvested. ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° We've hired full-time farm crews to get through our grape harvest. Evan LaNouette Owner and winemaker DaVero Farms & Winery Healdsburg, Calif. A picking crew harvests Pinot Meunier for sparkling wine.