Midsummer in the Merlot Rows

On June 21—the summer solstice—the vineyard is driven by a restless, explosive energy. In the weeks following fruit set, the vine canopy surges forward, wrapping the rows in a dense wall of foliage. But in the production of fine estate wine, abundance is not the objective. Exceptional character often begins with the art of subtraction.

Walking our estate Merlot rows this week, the work was defined by canopy management and suckering. At this stage, the young grape clusters are still firm, compact, and electric green. Left unmanaged, a vine will naturally push more shoots and fruit than it can evenly ripen. To ensure our estate Merlot achieves the depth, freshness, and structural balance we demand, we intervene by hand.

We methodically thin the vines—removing secondary shoots, lateral growth, and crowded clusters. Looking down the freshly worked rows, the proof of that discipline is striking: a vibrant carpet of discarded leaves and vegetative growth resting on the sandy loam soil below.

Dropping so much healthy growth can look drastic, but the viticultural purpose is vital. Clearing the fruit zone opens the canopy to the cool afternoon breezes of southern Napa Valley, encouraging air circulation and welcoming filtered sunlight. More importantly, it forces the vine to redirect its energy away from excessive leaves and into a deliberate, limited crop.

This physical, exacting work under the June sun exemplifies our vineyard philosophy: sacrificing yield for purity, concentration, and longevity. Long before harvest arrives, the quality of the vintage is decided right here in the rows.