Dubbed the "first lady of wine" by one Robert Parker, Heidi Peterson Barrett makes damn good wine (think Screaming Eagle) in Napa, and now you can listen to her talk about how she decides what and when to harvest in this video just posted by one of her winery clients, Fantesca. Filmed on October 2, Heidi discusses not only Fantesca's harvest but that of the region as a whole, so it's a nice 3-minute primer on what's happening in the vineyards in and around Napa about this time. Personally, I was super lucky to meet Heidi earlier this year in Napa at a fantastic gathering of women in wine, and if you click the link to "read more" you can check out a pic of the two of us. Not my best pic - but then again, that hardly matters when one is so close to Ms. Hallowedness of Wine. Cheers!
Interesting to see the vines of the Napa. We have just finished harvest here in the South of France. Those vineyards at Fantesca look very well kept!
Its a bit more rural/rustic with ancient bush vines in some parts of France.....but the quality of the fruit this year has been great.
How was the 08 growing season in Napa?
In a word: it was tricky! Good luck with things in the Languedoc. I love those big old bush vines! Not to mention cool old French villages. You can also read a whole slew of pieces I did on vineyards in France here: http://www.courtneycochran.com/blog/2006/08/
With a little nightlife thrown in for good measure. Cheers. ;)