Furlong Estates Vineyard Visit

Last Saturday, I took a trip up to Furlong Estates Vineyard. It was a typical summer day for Sonoma County with a layer of marine fog hanging over the vineyard. However, by the time I finished walking the Syrah block, the fog had burned off and the sun was shining down on the grapes. Furlong Estates is a lovely hillside vineyard. The Syrah block, starts on the base of the hill and rapidly ascends up the side of the slope. When I am sampling grapes, I find it necessary to walk the block so that I can get a good sense of how the vineyard is progressing. What that means is that I was constantly walking up and down the side of the hill, which gave me a good morning’s work out. As for the grapes, they are looking great. They are still at least two weeks away from being harvested. With the long range forecast being for nice sunny days and cool nights the sugar levels will continue to rise and the flavor will continue to develop nicely.