.: Shaping Up For A Late Harvest

Sunday, September 11, 2022

Shaping Up For A Late Harvest

So as we approach the middle of September we do our first check on the ripeness of the grapes as that can give us an indication of when we may be harvesting. From the numbers we are seeing right now we can expect the harvest to be delayed as long a possible this year.

We generally harvest the first week of October as we often face a frost event around then. Some years the season extends a little longer and we can let the grapes hange and accumulate more sugar while dropping the acid and making a better sugar/acid balance. We are certainly hoping for the later this year as the current level of ripeness reflects the delayed season we have had from the onset. A later harvest would be welcomed.

Here are some of the Brix levels we have recorded for September 10.

Petitie Milo 13
L'Acadie Blanc 14
Castel 14
Marechal Foch 13
Leon Millot 15
Evangeline 14
Vandal Cliche 14
Seigerrebe 14
Marechal Joffre 17
Sovereign Ruby 14

We had a cool and late year in 2020 an some of the number we recorded on September 13 of 2020 were,

Petite Milo 14
L'Acadie Blanc 13
Castel 15
Marechal Foch 14
Leon Millot 15
Evangeline 16
Vandal Cliche 14
Seigerrebe 15
Marechal Joffre 16
Sovereign Ruby 14

The numbers above for 2020 were taken three days later (September 13) and those three days can impact the sugar numbers, especially when its hot. So comparing the numbers gives us insite that we are on track for a similar year as 2020 and in that year we harvest on October 10. We will be targeting for the same this year if not later if mother nature permits and the fall frost is delayed. Here is some of the grapes.

Here is three pictures of the Marechal Foch showing a big spectrum of ripeness from just turning (third from top picture) to faily ripe (top) depending on where they are located in the vineyard. And the classic tell that the grapes are getting ripe is the wasps are into them, the really like the Foch (fourth from top).