Field Note Friday – From the Vineyard
The 2025 harvest is here and it’s moving fast, fast, fast. In just a matter of days, we’ve picked (or are picking) Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, Malbec, and Primitivo. When the vines all decide they’re ready at once, it makes for some long days and some quick decisions. Normally, flavor leads the call, but when everything tastes just right, sometimes it comes down to what makes sense block-to-block in the field.
Our crew of 14 works the vineyards year-round, and this is game-time. We’re hand-picking blocks and also running our machine harvester, which is so good, in fact, that neighbors hire us to machine pick their grapes as well.
And as if that’s not enough to keep busy, between picks the crew is also training young vines at our Contento Vineyard. That means carefully tying two shoots in opposite directions to form the future cordons of the vine, while stripping away the rest. It’s patient, skilled work that sets the foundation for the next generation of wines.
It’s a whirlwind out here, but it’s the best kind of busy.
Cheers,
Cheers,
Len Brutocao
3rd Generation & Vineyard Manager
Highlights from this week’s Field Note Friday:
- 2025 harvest moving fast—multiple varietals ripening at once
- Crew of 14 working day and night on hand picks & machine harvest
- Our gentle, high-tech harvester is so good neighbors hire us too
- Sometimes picking decisions are about flavor, sometimes logistics
- Replanting Contento Vineyard: training young Italian vines for the future
2020 Primitivo
Retail: $32.00
Cub Members: $27.20,
King Members: $24.00
Our Primitivo, a classic Italian varietal closely related to Zinfandel, thrives in our Mendocino vineyards. It’s bold yet refined, with layers of dark berry fruit, spice, and a touch of earthiness that reflect both its Italian roots and California sunshine. Rich and smooth on the palate, this wine is made for hearty meals and good company.
