NEWS: Grapevines bloom in the month of May and set follows in June. Bloom is the flowering of the grapevine while 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.When weather conditions are adverse during bloom-- as they were a year ago, with the late onset of rain, wind and cold weather-- set is typically poor, resulting in low yields of fruit. Crop levels last year were lousy, with yields of such primier varieties as pinot noir 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. HOT PICKS: My old friend and advertising crony Scott Eicher, manager of Pat's Drive In Liquors at 710 East Ojai Avenue in Ojai tells me his best sellers include all of The Ojai Vineyards wines from Adam Tolmach, the Qupé's marsanne--a white Rhone varietal which is now produced in California--Honig cabernet sauvignon from Napa and Wild Horse pinot noirs from Santa Barbara County.
Scott also told me that some of Old Creek Ranch's wines, especially their sauvignon blanc and chardonnay, are good sellers. But sadly, after many years, the store will be sold soon. Hopefully Scott will get involved in another wine venture here.
Summer fun!
Sunday, June 2, 3-6 p.m., join the viticulture alumni of Cal State Fresno for the 14th annual "A Celebration of Wine" in honor of the California grape. Tickets are $50. Wineries from all over California will be participating. Proceeds benefit the Fresno State Viticulture & Enology Research Center Library. Call 1-800-675-7780 for more information and reservations. Sunday, June 9, noon to five p.m., the Ojai Wine festival takes place at beautiful Lake Casitas. At the event, 40 wineries will be offering their wines along with some participating micro-breweries. Some local restaurants and food purveyors will be participating as well. 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 or 646-5511. 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 at 89.1 FM which broadcasts to Ventura County from Oxnard. (KCRW can also be heard on translators at 102.1 FM in Ojai and 102.3 FM in Santa Paula.) 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. This is certainly a worthy cause, I believe, since KCRW is one of the wonderful cultural resources in Ventura County. * Saturday, June 29, 6-9 p.m., the eight wineries along the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Trail in Santa Barbara County 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. Saturday, July 6, 3-7 p.m., Buttonwood Farm Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley presents "Red, White and Blues," an afternoon of music at the Buttonwood Farm pond with the Bernie Pearl Blues Band featuring Harmonica Fats. Bring a picnic and a lawn chair. $20 in advance; $25 at the gate. 688-3032. Friday, July 12, 7:30 p.m., The Gainey Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley presents Melissa Manchester in their beautiful winery courtyard. Gates open at 5:30. Bring a picnic. Reservations are a must. $32. 688-0558. *Saturday, July 13, 7:30 p.m., Gainey presents the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in concert. Gates open at 5:30. Bring a picnic. Reservations are a must. $28. 688-0558. Saturday and Sunday, July 13 & 14, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the 9th annual French Festival takes place at Santa Barbara's beautiful Oak Park. This is the largest celebration of French culture, food and wine in the western United States. Courvoisier will be on hand offering fine French cognac at the festival. Free admission to the festival. 564-PARIS. TRY THIS ONE! Santa Barbara Winery's newly released 1993 zinfandel made by winemaker Bruce McGuire. For someone who finds most zins drastically falling short of expectations, this one is that really fits the bill! Maybe it's Bruce's use of French oak barrels on a wine that is usually treated in American oak barrels. (The best use of American oak, I think, is for aging classic bourbon whisky--not wine!) This wine shows forward hints of raspberry and cherry, followed by nice spicy character making it a terrific food wine. Suggested retail, $14.
Bob Senn writes The Independent's monthly wine column, "Grapevine," and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
