Earliest vintage ever in Sonoma?

California’s 2008 harvest got off to an extraordinarily early start on 1 Aug, a month sooner than what is regarded as normal, though there seems to be no such thing as normal anymore.

 

In Sonoma County’s Sonoma Valley, Pinot Noir grapes were harvested at the Robert Hunter Winery vineyard near Glen Ellen and transported to Gloria Ferrer Winery in Carneros, for use in its sparkling wines. Gloria Ferrer winemaker Bob Iantosca said he was surprised to receive grapes so soon, and estimated that it would be another two weeks before more grapes would arrive from his contract vineyards.

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