Story of 2026 Season
Every vintage has its own personality, but the 2026 growing season set its own pace from the very beginning. As we finish bringing in the fruit and turn our attention to the cellar, it is time to reflect on a vintage defined by momentum, vigilance, and the resilience of our vines.
The story of 2026 began with an unusually warm March. While early spring often brings a gradual, waking stretch for the vineyard, this year the vines surged out of dormancy weeks ahead of schedule. That early push established an accelerated timeline that held throughout the entire season. By June, veraison was already underway across the blocks, a striking sight so early in the summer, with green clusters rapidly shifting to deep, jewel-toned hues under bright skies.
An early start inevitably reshapes vineyard management. For our Pinot Noir, the compressed timeline demanded intense focus. Pinot Noir is a delicate, temperamental variety that relies on steady hang time to harmonize sugar accumulation with physiological phenolic maturity. Balancing canopy density, shading the fruit just enough to shield against midday sun, and monitoring acid retention became daily priorities.
The heat and pace also influenced cluster development, resulting in lower yields than our generous 2025 harvest. The vines produced smaller, tighter clusters with fewer berries overall. Yet, as any grower knows, lower yields often tell a compelling story in the glass. What we sacrificed in sheer tonnage, the vines redirected into concentration. The berries we harvested in early August arrived with exceptional aromatic intensity, rich color extraction, and vibrant natural acidity.
Bringing in fruit in early August was a rare, fast-paced milestone, but stepping into the cellar today makes every early morning worth it. The fermentations are underway, showcasing bright red fruit aromatics, structured tannins, and a striking purity of site.
The 2026 vintage tested our timing and attention to detail at every step, but the results in barrel are already showing remarkable promise. We look forward to sharing this unique snapshot of the season with you once it completes its journey in cellar.
