Fog’s Reach

With preseason rainfall just an inch short of the 91⁄2 inch annual average, 2015 kicked off in typical fashion in the Arroyo Seco. Cool weather in May delayed shoot growth somewhat, with daily temperatures nearly 10 degrees lower than normal. We watched with patience as nature slowly delivered a coveted 2.5 ton per acre crop in the Pinot Noir blocks. Growing degree days tracked with the two coldest vintages in a decade (2010, 2011) through the end of May, and then slowly racked up gains through the summer months. This left 2015 as the new record holder of the warmest vintage in the region in two decades. We had great color development through veraison in July. Heat spikes in late August and early September prompted an early harvest that preserved polish and fresh varietal characters in the finished wine.