Harvest Highlights – An Amazing Vineyard Season Finale
Harvest, which marks the end of our vineyard season, came earlier than expected in 2023. This demonstrates the variability from year to year and the value in the uniqueness of each vintage.
Not only did extended warm dry weather all summer bring fruit to ripen early, we also experienced an abrupt end to the drought with four days of heavy rain at the end of September.
Our first pick at Torio Vineyard took place on September 5th, or a full month earlier than in 2022. Fortunately, our last pick – at Three Feathers Vineyard – was scheduled on September 21st. Since the forecast announced rain for the next few days after this date, we called in an extra crew and picked the whole vineyard in one day.
Although yields were comparatively light, we were able to ripen all fruit to the desired levels and pick the entire vineyards.
Needless to say, it was a real scramble to get the crew, bins and transport, but we did it and couldn’t be more pleased!
What’s next at Three Feathers?
We dedicate the month of October to vineyard chores, such as planting a cover crop of winter peas and crimson clover to boost nitrogen.
We were assisted this year in our wine sales and marketing by our Partner Elise Prudhomme, and her husband François, who visited from France for eight weeks with our grandson Felix. They put in a lot of hours in the vineyards, prospected new wine accounts in the area and helped at tastings with Sandra, our Sales and Marketing Manager.
This additional activity has broadened our audience and expanded our list of Club Members. Stay tuned for our Holiday Season online sale and upcoming press article!
Private Tastings at the Vineyard
We have been hosting private tastings at our Torio Vineyard site this year. Notably, the faculty of City View Charter Schools in Hillsboro: a group of 36 came and spend the day enjoying themselves over a glass of Three Feathers Wine before school opened.
We also held two successful Wine Tasting Open House events for Club Members. Everyone enjoyed the warm welcome extended by the family as the tastings are held in our home gardens.
We anticipate the weather to be unpredictable from now on so we are putting private tastings on “pause” until next spring. We certainly look forward to see everyone again next April! Contact us to book in advance.
