Winter at Highland Vineyard
3-18-25
Winter has embraced Highland Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. The vines stand dormant, impervious to the cold and rain, conserving their energy for the renewal of spring. This quiet season is a time of reflection—a moment to look back at the last harvest, to celebrate successes, and learn from challenges. Every year brings its lessons, and with them, the promise of doing better.
Yet, in the world of agriculture, nature always has the final say.
Will a late frost threaten the tender buds of early spring? Will relentless winds disrupt the delicate flowering of our baby grapes? Will an unforgiving hot summer scorch the clusters, turning them to raisins instead of wine? And what of the relentless threat of wildfires in Sonoma, County where drifting smoke can taint and ruin an entire vintage?
So much remains unknown. So much is beyond our control. But therein lies the magic of growing wine —the unpredictability, the gamble, the sheer adventure. But hey… if it were easy, anyone could do it.
But when nature cooperates and gives us an exceptional vintage, the reward is a beautiful wine. Thankfully our cool coastal corner of the Russian River Valley is one of the rare places in the world, where nature often smiles upon us and gives us a great Pinot Noir.
