2012 was the perfect growing season…a lot of rain in the winter, a warm spring and not to warm during the summer and fall.

2013 was a little more challenging but I think our fruit is actually better this year than last year.  We had almost no rain from the beginning of the year.  This caused bud break to be 3 weeks early.  Then in June we had 2″ of rain and a very hot 5 days following.  Mildew pressure was high.  And then…was very cool in July and early August returning to normal temperatures the end of August and early September.  This allowed the flavor to catch up to the early ripening.  An then…a heat wave just before harvest on September 7-9.  Havrest was still early on Sept 11th, but the fruit was very flavorful and retained a good amount of acid.  Unlike 2012 where everything went smooth, this year you had to fight but ended up with great fruit.