It was a dry start to the vintage this year, as we received less than half of our normal annual rainfall over the winter of 2003/2004. Bud break was very early, due to an unusually warm March, but in April, the vines had a little time to rest, before the May weather turned warm. Bloom started in early May, and within three weeks we saw flowers on the Sauvignon Blanc vines and the newly planted Mourvèdre in the Huerhuero Vineyard.

Fruit development likewise, was ahead of schedule throughout the summer. Yields were generally low, due to dry conditions during the season. Harvest started very early this year on August 16 with our Jardine Sauvignon Blanc, followed by the Syrah from Pleasant Valley. A cooler phase at the end of August slowed Brix development down and helped to ripen the fruit properly. However, hot weather in early to mid September accelerated fruit maturation. The Syrah was followed by Petit Verdot, with very low yields this year (below 2tons/acre) and again should be of excellent quality for our Signature blend! We finished harvest for Vina Robles on September 25th with our Cabernet Sauvignon from Block 3 on Huerhuero Ranch. Harvest 2004 brings us, once again, fruit with high to very high sugars which results in wines with pure, sweet fruit and excellent balance.

In November most wines were transferred to barrels to complete malic fermentation during winter time. Blending will start in February and keep us busy through spring and will finish in early summer.

This year we made our first ever Rosé from Syrah grapes. We “bled” some of the juice from the Syrah fruit as we crushed it. This age old French tradition concentrates the resulting Syrah wines, and leaves a delicate pink must – perfect for making Rosé. After a racking the must was fermented at very cold temperatures in a stainless steel tank for 3 weeks. Our Rosé is made without malic fermentation and doesn’t age in barrel. The wine will be bottled in early March of 2005 ready for the summer.