NEWSIn the natural cycle of the grapevine, the month of May is that time of year when the grapevine blooms. Set follows in June. Bloom is the flowering of the grapevine. Set occurs when flowering is over and the berry clusters begin to form; "it is the successful pollination of the flower converting it into a berry", says John Alban, owner-winemaker of Alban Vineyards in the Edna Valley.
Additionally, Vitis Vinifera grapevines, the genus and specie of grape which produce the great European and California varietal wines we all know and love to drink, are hermaphroditic--in other words, the plant is both male and female and thus self-pollinating.
When conditions are bad during bloom, as they were a year ago-- with rain, wind and cold weather-- set will be poor, resulting in unusually low yields. Crop levels last year were a disaster! Although quality levels were exceptional for the 1995 vintage, crop levels for primier varieties such as pinot noir were down as much as seventy five percent!
So far this May, the mid-month rain could affect the yields, John Alban tells me, but for early setting varietals like pinot noir and chardonnay, it looks like a normal year. And John added that with the heavy May rains on the north coast, "loads [or yields] could be severely depleted this harvest." He also noted this spring's set is unusually early.
Vineyard management consultant, Jeff Newton, owner of Coastal Vineyard Care echoes John Alban. Jeff told me, "In the Santa Ynez Valley, chardonnay and pinot noir set well because of the unusually hot weather we were having at the time," but he added that some of the later blooming varietals like cabernet sauvignon and merlot might have questionable yields in some vineyards because of the mid-month rain and windy weather.
THE GOOD INK CONTINUES TO FLOW! The May 15 issue of The Wine Spectator published a splendid major feature article on the wines and wineries of Santa Barbara County, with photos of many prominent owners and winemakers like Richard Sanford and Lane Tanner. Local resident and photographer Kirk Irwin who publishes the Santa Barbara County Wine Country Calendar had fourteen photos published in the Spectator's article and was even given a photo byline. Congratulations, Kirk!
HOT OFF THE PRESS! For the 1996 vintage look for additional varietals to come from pinot noir producer Lane Tanner--specifically chardonnay and syrah from JK Vineyards near Solvang in the Santa Ynez Valley.
SUMMER FUN:
Sunday, June 9, noon to five p.m., the Ojai Wine festival takes place at Lake Casitas down in Ventura County. At the event, 40 wineries will be offering their wines along with some participating micro-breweries. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the gate. This is a fundraising effort of the Ojai West Rotary Club. For reservations or more information call 1-800-422-6524. Wednesday, June 12, 6-9 p.m., the KCRW Foundation presents Summerday '96 International Wine, Dine & Travel Auction, a benefit for KCRW, KCRY, and KCRU which can be heard in Santa Barbara at 89.1FM. This fundraiser is held at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Tickets are $65 and the auction-tasting package is $85. For more information call KCRW at (310) 450-5183 or check out KCRW's web page on the Internet at www.kcrw.org and click on the wine glass. Saturday, June 15, 4-8 p.m., the Central Coast Home Vintners Club holds a gourmet dinner catered by Doug Coleman and Dick Prato at the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium. Dan Gehrs of Zaca Mesa is the guest speaker. Cost is $20. Limited to 60 people. Reserve by June 7. Make reservations with club president, Bob Weldon, at 349-0610. * Saturday, June 29, 6-9 p.m., the eight wineries along the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Trail present a "Summer Showcase" evening of wine sampling, haute cuisine buffet and live music on the newly expanded deck of Santa Ynez Winery, located at 343 North Refugio Road. $40. Reservations required. 688-9665. Saturday, June 29. 7 p.m., the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium hosts an evening of "Pinot Noir and Mushroom Magic," spotlighting the cutting edge pinot noirs from the Santa Maria Valley and Edna Valley. Food prepared by Chef Rick of Chef Rick's Ultimately Fine Foods. $32. Reservations a must! 688-4409. RAVE! Santa Barbara Winery's new release 1993 zinfandel (with a suggested retail price of $14) is worth buying. I'm one of these people who wants to like zinfandel and I'm usually disappointed with ninety percent of them. In columns past I've raved about Doug Beckett's Peachy Canyon zins and the zins from Rosenbloom Cellars (a mainstay for me at the Paradise Cafe). Winemaker Bruce McGuire's new '93 zinfandel from Santa Barbara Winery exhibits great depth and complexity with forward raspberry to intense cherry notes. Ripe and unctuous, this ranks among the best zins I've had in a long time and demonstates that good zinfandel can be produced in the cooler climes of Santa Barbara County, a viticultural area most renowned for its chardonnay and pinot noir. I think you'll enjoy this great mouthful of wine! Cheers.
Bob Senn writes The Independent's monthly wine column, "Grapevine," and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
