Amalie Robert Estate Climate Update: 2007 September

Hello,

Congratulations! We have made it to October, and will harvest Pinot Noir this month!!! Getting through September was a thrill. Here are the numbers.

First off, the rains came at the end of the month as was foretold by just about every weather forecaster. Specifically, we received 1.59 inches during the last few days of the month. This averaged about 0.40 inches per day. Total rainfall for the month was 1.79 inches.

September did put a good foot forward in the degree day ledgers. We logged 394 degree days (293 through the 15th and an additional 101 through the end of the month.) This brings us to a cool climate viticulture total of 1,891 degree days for the growing season. Oregon was granted Statehood in 1859 and will celebrate the sesquicentennial of Statehood in 2009.

The fruit, so far, is looking good - nice and clean, eager to get warm in a fermenter. Birds and deer have not been a problem, but I see them - often. Sugars before the rain event were in the low 20s with pHs ranging from 3.19 to 3.30. It seems to me, flavors have come on early, while sugars and acids have yet to find their balance. The canopy is showing signs of impending harvest. However, with the rains, all bets are off. I think if we can see a window of dry, breezy days, harvest would quickly set upon us.  

Thanks

Ernie