2008 Harvest

The 2008 growing season was a season to remember as hitting the valley with the biggest frost of recent memory. Stag’s Ridge had held back on pruning for as late as possible this year.

Stag’s Ridge was pruned on April 16th -20th and then on April 27th at 4:22a.m. the temperature dropped below freezing and reached 27 degrees. Now that is not very cold for many areas but for grapes just starting to bud…So for any buds pushing it was devastating and any fruit that grew from those buds were chosen to be dropped on the ground. The losses for some Napa Valley vineyards was catastrophic. We felt fortunate that we were able to harvest 15.4 tons.

The 2008 fruit that was produced came in small tight clusters that offered a very intense flavor. This could be the finest fruit produced to date. The harvest, utilizing micro pics, was started in late October and done in three different picks. The last pick concluding the harvest on Nov.1st. This should prove to be a pinnacle year for Beau Vigne wines. Stay tuned for a great cabernet to follow.