Rain puts the brakes on harvest

Harvest has come to a screeching halt.  We picked the vulnerable vineyards over the weekend before the rain started on Monday. Thin skinned grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot noir, and Zinfandel are susceptible to the rain. Monday's light rain was not light and we had a bit of a clearing after early morning drizzle, but more rain is forecast for today.  The rain is giving us a chance in the cellar to catch up.  Zinfandel fermentation are finishing and we are digging out and pressing tanks daily.  The wine is allowed to settle for 1-2 days after it is drained and then we will inoculate with malolactic bacteria and barrel down the wine.  Some of the Chardonnay barrel ferments are finished and those barrels are also being inoculated for malolactic fermentation.  All in all we are trying to make as much tank space as possible for when the rain is finished.