Hanna Chardonnay Harvest 2012

With 26 tons of Home Ranch Chardonnay, our 2012 Chardonnay havest has begun! At a fabulous 24.4 Brix, the grapes were delicious, and the wine will be too!! Photo 1: Until yesterday our Home Ranch Chardonnay was cosseted in veils of green netting. 2: Yesterday afternoon, after they were done removing nets, the vineyard crew brought in the lights and bin-towing tractors. 3: This morning at 3:00 am, the vineyard crew began harvesting our Home Ranch Chardonnay. They move amazingly fast--running from vine to vine. 4: By 5:00 am, they were 2/3 done picking, and Tom had the bins weighed and lined up for the first press load. 5: By 6:30 am, the first load for our Diemme press was loaded, and the free run was pouring out. The vineyard crew took 3 hours to the Chard, and the cellar crew took 14 hours to press it (clean-up included).