Amalie Robert Estate Vintage Update: 2013 Bud Break

    

Amalie Robert Estate declares Bud Break on day 109 of the 2013 growing season! You may better know this as Friday, April 19, 2013.

This is the earliest we have seen the new growth in the last 3 years. For reference, we declared Bud Break on day 114 in 2012 and 125 in 2011. Note the lavender Lilac bloom is on the same event horizon as Pinot Noir Bud Break. Yeah, there are buds breaking all over the northern hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, they are just wrapping up harvest.

This was a welcome surprise as we began our 14th vineyard anniversary and Earth Day celebration at the Joel Palmer House. In case you could not join us, here is what was on offer.

- First: Pickled Fiddlehead Ferns with Beet Puree paired with 2011 "Our Muse" Viognier

- Second: Carrot and Celery Root Soup with Dungeness Crab paired with 2009 "Heirloom Cameo" Chardonnay

- Third: Morel Risotto paired with 2010 Pinot Meunier

- Fourth: Heidi’s Three Mushroom Tart paired with 2007 “The Reserve” Pinot Noir and 2009 “Wadenswil Clone” Pinot Noir

- Fifth: Rack of Lamb with Pinot Pepper Sauce over Lentils paired with 2010 “Satisfaction” Syrah

- Dessert: Assortment of Candy Cap Mushroom Desserts and Local Cheeses

Growing wine in the Willamette Valley is always an adventure. We are excited about the prospects of a wonderfully expressive vintage punctuated with the vagaries of an agrarian endeavor. With 3 Italian tractors, there is never a dull moment.

Again this year, we will be providing growing season updates beginning with the full April Climate Update in just a week or so. In the meantime, the sun is shinning and the vines are coming out of their winter’s slumber. They look so innocent now, but we know this is only a ruse.

To get an idea of what lies ahead, you can check out the 2012 Julian calendar and photo journal at this link:
http://www.amalierobert.com/2012_julian_calendar.htm

Kindest Regards,

Dena and Ernie