2016 Fall Newsletter

Dear Trespass Friends,

The beautiful fall season is upon us and it is time to celebrate a fabulous harvest and the release of the last of our Trespass Vineyard wines from the 2013 vintage!! The Cabernet Sauvignon, Old Vine Zinfandel, and the Rendezvous blend are ready to make their way from our cellar to yours.

Heritage and legacy are themes that resonate deeply in our business, as well as all kinds of farming. After all we are simply stewards of our special piece of land, a responsibility Donny and I keep in our minds at all times. Our property had been under vine for over 100 years, however when we purchased it the old “Italian field blend” varietals had been ripped out. We were able to make rootstock and clonal selections that we felt would prosper in this unique corner of St. Helena and have been aptly rewarded!

Many of you have asked if any of our children plan to get into the wine business. One has not fallen far from the vine. Our son Michael has been making wine since 2010 and his brand is called MTGA. I can’t believe he just released his fourth vintage! Check out his wonderful wines at mtgawines.com and get a few bottles to try. And don’t miss reading his blog – I always enjoy his perspectives and his journey. (Yes, a proud Mom moment!) The other four in our “Brady Bunch” have now scattered in different directions but you just never know what may happen around the corner. We are always happy to send wine care packages their way so they always have a taste of home nearby.

The 2013 is a vintage of the ages and was one of the most concentrated in quite some time. Donny likes to say the silver lining from the drought conditions we had experienced for several years is that the wines made during this time have been richer, bolder, and more concentrated than ever. Fortunately we have returned to a more normal weather pattern in the Napa Valley, but it is Mother Nature’s annual stamp that marks each vintage as a special moment in time for Trespass Vineyard.