2008 Kendall-Jackson Harvest Underway

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite all the media chatter
concerning climate change and its possible effects on Wine Country, the 2008
Kendall-Jackson harvest began in earnest over the Labor Day weekend, and
appears to be normal and on schedule.
Given the wild weather leading up to September, it's hard to believe the
grape harvest in Kendall-Jackson's coastal estate vineyards began so
uneventfully. Most of Northern California experienced heavy winter rains in
January and February. This was followed by an unusually dry spring,
highlighted by 28 bone-chilling nights at, or below, the freezing mark. Then
there was a June heat wave and lightning storms, setting off more than 1,000
brushfires statewide. By August, things began to settle down with the more
predictable Pacific Ocean summer pattern of cool, moist air flowing into the
inland hills and valleys.
"We were hit by torrential rains in December and January. Then Mother
Nature abruptly turned off the spigot. During April, our managers worked many
long nights tending to our vineyard frost protection systems, and in May and
June, we faced a series of heat spikes and wind. All this was followed by a
series of wildfires in June and July," says Randy Ullom, Kendall-Jackson
Winemaster. "I don't know what to expect next, earthquakes or locusts!"
"Seriously, though, we're placing the loss of production from the spring
frost at approximately five percent, with damage felt in several North Coast
vineyards, including Mendocino, Sonoma and Napa counties," adds Ullom.
"Overall, our vineyard managers are telling us that though general tonnage is
down across all varieties, including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the flavors
remain quite high."
The hot summer weather and wildfires sent Kendall-Jackson consumers
nationwide to their phones and email concerned that the smoke might affect the
quality of the 2008 vintage. Though Wine Country choked on thick smoke for
several weeks, the grapes are completely unaffected. Vineyard managers
believe the smoke may have actually created a filtering effect, minimizing the
ground heat and keeping the solar light from sun burning the ripening grapes.
The first truckload of Sauvignon Blanc grapes were received at
Kendall-Jackson's original home winery in Lake County on Monday, August 18,
coming in at a ripe 24 degrees Brix. By September 2, Kendall-Jackson's Sonoma
County winery began taking delivery of its first Alexander Valley Chardonnay
and Merlot grapes. Kendall-Jackson winemakers expect the 2008 harvest to
continue through late-October.
"With or without global warming, every vintage has its challenges. The
harvest is about renewal, optimism and rebirth, and though this is my 16th
harvest with Kendall-Jackson, I'm just as excited as I was at my first," says
Ullom. "We are a family-owned, estate-driven wine and farming company. I
can't think of a more perfect time to pause and give thanks."
Kendall-Jackson grows estate grapes in six cool California coastal wine
regions. The climate and harvest conditions on the Central Coast are vastly
different from the climate conditions on the North Coast. To avoid
generalizations about the harvest, a more complete series of comments by the
regional vineyard managers will be available as events progress.
To learn more about Kendall-Jackson's wines, go to http://www.kj.com.
SOURCE Kendall-Jackson

George Rose of Kendall-Jackson, +1-707-525-6229