Harvest Report: Cautiously Optimistic

I found a great harvest resource- The St. Helena Star Weekly Harvest Report. It interviews several reputable winemakers and vineyard managers about the status of their crop, observations, and forecasts.

Here is a summary of the first harvest report:

Fogs and moderate temperatures are extending the growing season. This is resulting in higher acids levels than in most years.
The consensus is that harvest will be about 7-10 days later than last year.
The heat wave two weeks ago seems to had mild impact. Those who are concerned are taking precautions- irrigating between 4-8 gallons per vine, per week around 1 pm when the vines are the most stressed. Their goal is to prevent dehydration which causes the grapes to shrivel into raisins.
Most are seeing small berries which means that wines should have good concentration.
Everyone seems hopeful and excited about the condition of the vines and the crop. The jury is still out on the quality of the vintage because it may rain.

Questions to ask my growers:
? Any frost damage from earlier this year? On April 27 many Napa vineyards experienced a very cold evening, which resulted in a small amount of frost throughout the area.
? Are the cluster size and berry-size both seem about average? Are grapes showing unusually large shoulders?
? Are you watering the vines in response to the heat wave last week?
? Are the acid levels high?