Brutocao’s Field Note Friday

From the Vineyard

Field Note Friday – From the Vineyard

Tuesday was a big day; we brought in our first fruit of the 2025 harvest: Sauvignon Blanc from the Bliss Vineyard. These vines are only three years old, so this was our first pick from them. Young vines are a lot like teenagers, full of promise, but not always predictable. They can swing from one year to the next until they hit about 6 to 10 years old, when they settle in and start showing their true character.

These Sauvignon Blanc blocks are cane-pruned, and while the crop was pretty much what we expected, the quality looks really nice. My mom, Martha (Bliss) Brutocao, even came out to see the clusters and check the fruit; nothing beats sharing those moments as a family.

The very next morning, we picked our Chardonnay. It’s always exciting to see the whites come in early and set the tone for harvest. Fruit came in cold, fresh, and beautifully balanced...exactly what we hope for this time of year.

Long days and longer nights are ahead, but the first picks always bring a special kind of energy. The season has begun.

Cheers,
Len Brutocao
3rd Generation & Vineyard Manager

Highlights from this week’s Field Note Friday:

First pick of 2025: Sauvignon Blanc (Bliss Vineyard)
Young vines (3 yr old) = exciting & unpredictable
Cane-pruned blocks showing good promise
Chardonnay harvested the next day
A fresh, energetic start to harvest season

Featured Video: Martha (Bliss) Brutocao

At 90 years young, Martha carries the heart of our family’s story. Her father, Irv Bliss, planted the original vineyard here in Hopland. She later married Len Brutocao, who would go on to build the winery. Together they raised five children—three of whom now help run the winery and vineyards. Today, she’s a proud grandmother to 15 and great-grandmother to 10 (with another on the way). Martha still lives on the ranch, in the home she and Len built, watching over the vines her family continues to tend.

Enjoy the video!

Sauvignon Blanc

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Estate-grown and harvested in the cool early mornings, our Sauvignon Blanc showcases the fresh, vibrant character of Mendocino County. Bursting with citrus, tropical fruit, and delicate floral notes, it’s crafted to highlight crisp acidity and a lively, refreshing finish. Picked and pressed quickly to preserve aromatics, this wine is a pure expression of our vineyards, bright, clean, and endlessly drinkable.

From Our Family to Yours

The Brutocao Family

Family Farmed Four Generations · Hopland, Mendocino County

We’re a four-generation family winery in Hopland, growing and bottling estate wines in the heart of Mendocino County. Come taste with us Wednesday through Sunday, or join the family and we’ll ship our wines to your door.