Veraison - La Encantada Vineyard

Veraison is one of the most beautiful times of year in a vineyard. Now that grape clusters have grown close to their final size the process of ripening is beginning, and pigmentation has begun to develop in the individual berries. A cool wet winter in California has caused 2019 to be one of the latest starting vintages in recent years, but in Santa Barbara the long moderate growing season is looking like it will produce an absolutely spectacular crop. Pictured here is a tiny Pinot Noir cluster from the La Encantada vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills that is just beginning to undergo veraison, and should be ready for harvest in around a month's time.