Just got back from a short trip to Hawaii (for both fun and work – some great restaurants in Hawaii) and began checking our Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The Merlot at 23.8 Brix is on its way. Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon will ripen later. The last two weeks have been warm and the grapes are ripening very nicely. There were a few hot days but that’s not unusual for this time of year. Though the crop is larger than the last few years its evenly distributed over the entire vine. Both the vines and the fruit look in good shape and happy. Happy vines make good grapes and good wines, we’ll see once its in the barrel.