Texas Grape Harvest Has Begun

Texas has begun its harvest of vitis vinifera grapes. The harvest is happening along most of the northern hemisphere with each region experiencing slightly different results. The vineyards in Texas are harvesting at night when possible.
Here is what Heath Family Brands based in the Fredericksburg area has to say, “We have 25 acres of vineyards at Grape Creek and 11 different varietals, 35 acres at Invention Vineyards with 7 varietals and 8 acres at Kuhlman Estate with 5 varietals. All in the Texas Hill Country AVA. We have harvested the Albarino, Roussanne, Marsanne, Petite Sirah, Tannat, Malbec and Petit Verdot. This Summer brought a slightly earlier harvest this year. We are doing all night hand harvests at all our vineyards this year. This has the benefit of cool weather for the fruit and the pickers. The grapes go directly from the vine to the bins and to cold storage for an early morning crush. A slightly smaller harvest this year due to 2 hail events, but grapevines are resilient and quick to correct. We thin fruit for a variety reasons with improved quality in mind, we believe this year’s naturally reduced yields will be an exceptional crop.”
Becker Vineyards is down the road from Heath Family Brands in the Texas Hill Country. Their winemaker Jonathan “Jon” Leahy reported this to me about their harvest, ”Harvest has been fast and furious. There has been extremely good quality fruit. We’ve had quicker phenolic development this harvest. Normally it is slower because of hotter days but this summer we haven’t had as many days in the 100s. Evenings have been in the low 70s which has also bolstered the development. Unless a vineyard has experienced high winds or hail, fruit set has been excellent. It has been weird to have received white grapes from a grower and then two days later receive red grapes from the same grower. We don’t usually have whites and reds coming in so close together. The phenolic quality is similar to the 2017 and 2018 harvests. I’m excited!” Jon added, “This past week we harvested Reddy Vineyards Viognier and Tempranillo, Canada Family Vineyards’ Chardonnay, Lahey Vineyards’ Viognier, our Estate Grenache, Tallent Vineyards’ Cinsault and Tannat.”
Looking at the various grape varietals coming from the vineyards to the wineries, many of those varietals are unknowns to many wine lovers. Names like Alabarino, Roussanne, Marsanne, Tannat, Viognier, and Cinsault are not normally consumed by many wine lovers. However, after years of experimenting in the vineyards, these grapes varietals are wonderfully suited to be grown in Texas. Texas is establishing a reputation for now growing grapes that establish unique quality Texas wines. These wines will continue to bring Gold and Double Gold Medals to Texas wineries using quality Texas grapes!
Grape harvest is my favorite time to be at a winery. The incoming grapes bring an aroma that is heavenly. You can smell the bouquet of those grapes and taste the flavors that establish flavors in those wines. These flavors and bouquet are natural in the grapes with no flavors added, with the exception of barrel aging. Head to the Texas Hill County this weekend and enjoy the smells of those incoming grapes. It is perfume in the air!