Today was a “play day”.  My first stop was a visit to Sokol Blosser Winery.  The lovely drive up to the winery was flanked by Pinot Noir on the left and Pinot Gris on the right.  Alison took me on a tour that included nearby vineyards and the winery. Sokol Blosser is in the heart of the Dundee Hills, famous for its red volcanic…

Being here before harvest has its advantages. I am having the opportunity to perform a number of tasks that would not be possible with all hands on the sorting line. Today I learned about punching down. Currently there are 14 enormous vats of Syrah grapes fermenting.  Each vat holds approximately 1 1/2 tons of grapes.  KWC is fortunate to have…

I arrived in Carlton, OR Tuesday evening and moved into The Winery Lofts of Ken Wright Cellars, my home for the next few days. Weather factors have dictated that it is not time for harvest. Cooler temperatures and rain have slowed the final stages of ripening.  But that is okay – there is still work to do. Upon arriving at the winery this morning…

In my first post I talked about the Pinot Noir seminar I attended at Charleston Wine and Food Festival last spring. Alison Sokol Blosser presented wines from Sokol Blosser Winery. Her parents, Susan Sokol and Bill Blosser, were among the true pioneers of the wine business in Oregon. Susan authored a book called At Home in the Vineyard that chronicles…