In Our Vineyards
The vines have thus far been doing well considering the dry spell we have found ourselves in this summer. The record hot temperatures are testing the fortitude of our very hearty vine types! They are standing tall and proud.
We are spraying hydrogen peroxide on a regular basis to keep the fungus off the leaves and vines. So when the vines smile you will see how white their teeth are now!
The H202 we spray simply oxidizes the fungus, killing it on contact. We eschew using chemicals in our vineyards that you normally wouldn’t put in your mouth or on your body.
The red varietals are beginning veraison. The official definition of version is to "change of color of the grape berries." We expect our red varietal clusters to start to turn slightly purple color soon and by the end of August they will be a deep purple hue.
It would be ideal if we could receive an inch or so of rain in the next 1-2 weeks while veraison is happening. Then it can be as dry as it wants to be! The lack of rain post veraison will help concentrate the sugars and flavors in the grapes. We are hoping for the luck of JOLO this 2016 growing season. Wine glasses crossed!
We are in the process of filtering our varietals that will ultimately make up the new 2015 JOLOTAGE version! Right now we have Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec. We will be filtering the wines through different stages, in separate batches. We will be hosting our very first JOLOTAGE Blending trial on August 13th to have JOLO Club members and JOLO wine lovers help us rate a few different blend options so we can decide the final blend percentages of each. The blending trial details can be found in the event section of this newsletter or by clicking here. We hope you will join us for the party. Hurry! Only 12 spots left!
Last but not least, we are cleaning, setting aside and retiring JOLO wine barrels and making them available for sale. We are also finishing up our crop estimates to know how many new barrels to bring in for this year’s vintage.
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"Get Happy" This Saturday!
From 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Live Broadcast - WMAG 99.5
Free passed tapas
Open to the public
No reservations needed
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- Join winemaker JW Ray to sample, rate, enjoy and cast your ballot for your favorite of four possible JOLOTAGE blends for 2016.
- Your ticket also includes a gourmet meats and cheeses sampler plate.
- Reservations Required - Limited to 50 guests!
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SPECIAL BOTTLING EVENT
Saturday, September 3rd starting at 11:30 a.m.
- $29/bottle (plus applicable tax)
- Bottle, cork, foil and label your very own 2015 JOLOTAGE bottle.
- First bottles in sequence based upon your RSVP date.
- Reservations Required by 9/2. Reserve Now
RELEASE PARTY
12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
- Open to the public - No reservations needed
- Free passed tapas
- Live Music by the West Vale Band
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