Snippet from “BC Wine trends: Winemakers Thoughts On Harvest 2022”Â
2022 was a very interesting year that had some ups and downs like a rollercoaster. The season started around 2-3 weeks behind regular due to the delayed bud-break. Our team was quite worried when this was followed by more rain than usual in May and June. We also didn’t see the typical warm temperatures during those months which didn’t help things catch up during the summer months. Luckily, things were warmer and dry afterwards.
We made the decision to be slightly more aggressive than usual for the crop thinning this season, especially in our premium red blocks in Osoyoos. This was our focus in case the temperature cools down quickly again in September and October. The last thing we wanted was grapes that aren’t ripening to the levels we expect to make a high-quality wine. Fortunately, we were hit with a warm September and October which every grower we know is thankful for! These lead to some amazing quality grapes that exceeded Brix expectations and were comparable to our historical numbers!
We were able to harvest our Pinot Gris and Gamay Noir at the Paradise Block in Oliver at the end of September. We were pleased that the Brix levels were normal but the harvest was about 7-10 days behind the norm. Our Merlot at this location took about 10-14 days longer than usual to reach our desired Brix level for harvest. The Gamay noir vines are younger so we do have some concerns as the vines are shutting down for dormancy much later than the usual growing year. We are hoping that the temperatures don’t drop too quickly and that the vines can shut down beforehand. Overall, we are quite pleased that all the varieties were able to meet and exceed expectations based on the start of this growing season!
For our West Bench block in Osoyoos, BC, we harvested some of our Cabernet Sauvignon for rosé in early October. The remaining Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested about 2 weeks later. The grapes were able to ripen above-expected Brix levels with a favourable flavour profile as well. We have done some tank tastings which were exceptional. We CAN’T WAIT to see the final products.
We are still anticipating the harvest of our East Bench block which plays host to our premium Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Brix levels are close to historical levels and we expect to pick some time in the next 7-10 days. This block was able to catch up quicker than the rest of our blocks due to the high level of growing degree days here. We are excited to see how a warmer than usual September and October will influence the flavour profile of the wines. Stay tuned for these releases!
Our longtime friend, Jason Parkes, has been along our side since we first planted these vineyards. His experience with our vineyards has been vital in making exceptional wines.
Overall, Jason and our team are very pleased that this year turned out to be exceptional due to the warm Fall weather.
Click here to learn more about Vasanti Estate Winery
Click here for the full article on BC Wine Trends
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