Behind the Scenes: Harvest Mornings

Harvest 2023 has begun in the Ruby Hill Estates vineyard. The weather this year has already impacted our harvest pattern setting 2023 apart from other years. We are excited for the unique characteristics we will see with these wines! Let us take you behind the scenes to the early mornings of our white wine harvest. 

Between the wet winter, chilly spring, and mild summer, our fruit is ripening much later than usual. This blog shows our team processing the first of the harvest, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, since white wines are ready the earliest. Still, these varietals took their time this year, and our red wines won’t be ready for a little while longer.

One of the biggest impacts of the weather this year is huge yields. Even after our process of dropping fruit so the vines can focus on nourishing the remaining clusters, the vines are thick with beautiful clusters. 

This wine press is one of the ways that we introduce technology into the wines we produce. It brings efficiency and consistency without sacrificing control and attention to detail. 

We process our fruit early in the morning, not long after it is harvested. We monitor for quality and keep a keen eye on every step of the process. 

The production and pressing process differs from wine to wine. Still, one of the most rewarding sights is the deluge of juice that will become the wines that we know and love. 

Our hardworking team includes Jesse, our winemaker, and the cellar team: John, Leonard, Dominic, and Anna. They help make the magic happen!

This precious “liquid gold” has a long time to go before it is bottled as our Livermore Valley Chardonnay, but we are proud to oversee each part of this wine’s lifespan, from the vineyard to the bottle and into your glass, all on the same property. 

With the increasing popularity of Sauvignon Blanc, we are thrilled to see the quality and yields of the 2023 crop!

Drop by drop, the story of our wines is written. This 2023 Chardonnay is pure potential. 

Good fruit is the cornerstone of good wine, which is why we pour love and care into every step of the process: so we can pour you a glass of pure goodness.

In the mood to enjoy some delicious wine, grown, produced, and bottled locally? Come visit us at the Ruby Hill Tasting room any day of the week. If you are interested in learning more about the winemaking process and taking a look behind the scenes, consider our Mello Cielo Vineyard Experience tour, or the Portfolio Tasting experience at our sister winery, Rubino Estates!