Schweiger Vineyards News

When the deep purple falls over sleepy garden walls
And the stars begin to twinkle in the sky–
In the mist of a memory you wander back to me
Breathing my name with a sigh…
“Deep Purple” — Peter DeRose, 1923

…and we’re still going!  Even though we were “near the end” of harvest almost a month ago, we’ve been experiencing a virtual water torture harvest the past few weeks.  Back in September when I said, “We’re almost done”, we still had less than a ton each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc.  Last week, we finally brought in the Malbec and the Cabernet for Port.  This morning I got up bright and early to stop the fermentation on the Cab for Port by adding in a very yummy 143 proof double distilled alembic brandy.  The photo with this post shows the beautiful deep purple color of the Cabernet as the brandy is mixing in.  While pressing the Cabernet, I circulated the wine, dosing in the bandy a little at a time.  As the yeast settles out, the color will become even more intense.

After tomorrow we will officially be done.  Dad and I just decided to pick the Franc!  Are we truly done?  Nope!  There’s still plenty of work ahead…from pressing to barreling down, monitoring of malolactic fermentation, and rackings, there is still plenty of work ahead.