Hello Friends,

This message is coming from Sarah this time around, because Chris is, to put it mildly, unavailable.

Why? Because… Harvest! It’s the most important time of year for us. There are multiple key winemaking decisions being made that could make or break the vintage. Picking at the right time, gauging the effect of wildfires on the grapes, deciding whether to take on additional fruit when it becomes available, borrowing bins, getting them back on time, negotiating pick times, bringing the grapes in safely, handling them the right way in the winery… it goes on and on. So as I tell Chris every year – “Don’t screw it up.” Just kidding. Mostly I say, “When will you be home?”

As we write, we (thankfully) have had no major wildfires here in Sonoma County. In fact, in spite of the drought and the hotter than average temperatures elsewhere in the state, we’ve enjoyed a cool summer. The marine layer has been our friend, bringing us almost daily morning fog and cooler temps. This is good for the grapes and good for us people, too. The 2021 yields are much smaller than usual due to the drought, but we’re really excited about the quality and what’s happening in the cellar.

Our other home region of El Dorado was hit hard this year. The Caldor Fire has been an absolute beast, burning many areas we love, endangering our friends’ and growers’ homes and vineyards, and cloaking everything in smoke. The folks we work with up there are as tough as they come, and we’ve been doing what we can to bring in as much as fruit as can be salvaged. Half our typical production comes from El Dorado. We are sad to say it will be greatly reduced for the 2021 vintage.

With these fires turning into what seems to be a yearly thing, we’re learning that geographic diversity is crucial for producers like us. In 2020, many Sonoma County grape crops were lost due to smoke taint from the Walbridge Fire. Then, we were incredibly grateful that half our production was in El Dorado. This year, it’s the other way around, with heavy smoke hitting our vineyards in the foothills. It’s a bit head-spinning, but with heat and drought expected to continue in the years to come, it’s our tough new reality.

Speaking of tough, I’d like to pause and reflect on what Chris does every harvest. He carries a massive load of responsibility, managing many people and personalities and moving parts at two wineries, for two brands, across multiple vineyards and many different varietals. He is a blur of activity. But now that I’ve been with him through a good 15 vintages or so, I already know how this vintage will turn out. He’ll manage whatever challenge nature or life throws at him to bring forth beautiful, nuanced wines, like he does every year. It is his annual work of art. He might never get around to reading this newsletter, but I will still take this moment to appreciate him (and all the hard-working winemakers out there).

We’re dedicating the 2021 vintage to my dad, Larry Mason, who passed away on April 30th. He was a wonderful man in a million ways, but the best thing of all was his capacity to love. We feel it still, every day.

Cheers to Larry, and cheers to all of you!

Sarah (and an absentee Chris)

P.S.: If you’d like to try our latest wines, visit www.grosventrecellars.com/wines to order. We’re offering free shipping on orders of 6 or more bottles.