2018 is drawing to a close, marking another stellar year for 2Hawk Vineyard & Winery. We’re particularly pleased to report we experienced an excellent harvest, despite some daunting challenges. Below you’ll learn what went well, what we’re excited about, and what we’re looking forward to in the future.
Archive for Agriculture – Page 2
If you’ve been around wineries long enough, you’ve probably heard the term “crush pad” at some point. A critical but easily overlooked part of the winery, the crush pad is where the winery meets the vineyard and the process of turning grapes into wine begins. If the term conjures up a mental image of grapes being crushed into juice and pulp, you’re on the right track. Thanks to the evolution of winemaking technology, however, a crush pad is now simply the area where harvested grapes are processed—we don’t actually crush them anymore.
Late summer and fall represent a magical time in the vineyard, with row after row of vines brimming with fruit slowly approaching ripeness. But how do we know when it’s the perfect time to harvest the grapes? It’s a harder question than it may seem, with weather, variety, desired wine style, and even the winemaker’s personal preferences and experiences each playing a role. Like most aspects of the winemaking process, it’s a combination of science, experience, and intuition.
Boasting 180 vineyards spanning over 4,000 acres, Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley is home to more than 70 different varieties, totaling some 10,000 tons of grapes each year. But what makes the Rogue Valley so special, and why do so many wineries call this region home? Just like a great wine, it’s a careful balance of the right factors.
January is a special time in the vineyard. The lull of December begins to give way to the next growing season. It is a time to reflect on the prior season and a time to contemplate the upcoming season.
Harvest and crush—it’s an end and a beginning all rolled into one. It’s the end to the growing season and the beginning of production of this year’s vintage of wine. This autumn, there are smiles all around thanks to increased quantity and superb quality.