Late Harvest

The 2016 growing season was cooler than previous vintages in the Arroyo Seco. With cool mornings and evenings and daytime highs in the 80’s, the weather was close to ideal for ripening White Riesling grapes. The afternoon winds which roar down the valley helped the vines ripen slowly. The cool nights enabled the vines to retain their natural acidity while the warm days allowed just enough sunshine to develop ripe and complex flavors. Conditions in late August and September were quite humid and ideal for the growth of Botrytis or “noble rot” in the Griva Vineyard. After several passes to remove any unwanted berries, the best of this Botrytis- laden fruit was hand-picked into bins in the cool morning of October 12 at 33.7°B.