Winter Thoughts at McGrail Vineyards

The rains in December gave me hope of catching up on the past two years of 

drought. January was the driest on record, which slaps me back to reality. February 

has offered a bit of precipitation which offers a glimmer of hope but alas, I think we 

are going to have a “normal” rainfall year. Good for us for sure. The hills are green 

and the mustard is out like gangbusters. I am reminded of course of a recent joke I 

read where a young girl asks her mother what “normal” is. The mother replies, “it’s a 

setting on the dryer dear”.

We have added gypsum and compost to our vineyard and we are getting ready to 

prune. I hear around the state that budbreak is early this year due to the warm 

weather through the first two months of the year. I anticipate our buds to push 

around the 10th of March for our Cabernet Sauvignon. 

We are gathering samples and tasting through our barrels. Sorting them out into 

their respective blends. I must admit it is a tiresome task but someone’s got to do it. 

On the agenda are 2014 Sauvignon Blanc and Rose as well as a Patriot Cabernet 

Sauvignon and a Merlot blend. Soon to follow will be our Estate Cab Sauv blends that 

we all know and love and of course, Chardonnay.  Spring will be busy for sure.

I am thankful for any precipitation we can get it the next 2 months. It helps to 

replenish our ground water and flush out our soils. Like humans, the dirt needs 

water too. 

Cheers,

MC