Harvest is officially in full swing here on the North Fork so we’re coming to you with a North Fork Harvest Update! Our vineyard team has been busy, and the fruit for all four of our Méthode Champenoise sparklings: Pinot Blanc, Rosé, Reserve, and La Crescent. Thanks to a long stretch of sunshine and dry weather throughout August and September, we’re about a week ahead of schedule this year.

The weather created what we call “textbook perfect” conditions for sparkling wine grapes. Moderate sugar levels (Brix) paired with naturally low pH and high acidity (TA, Titratable Acidity) give winemakers exactly what they want. Sparkling wines shine when bright acidity, crisp flavors, and lower potential alcohol come together. This combination promises an exciting vintage for our sparkling program.

After finishing the sparkling harvest last week, we turned our attention to Pinot Blanc for our still wines. Over the past ten days, the grapes developed ripe, expressive flavors while the acidity softened—just what we look for in our still Pinot Blanc. Each vineyard block is carefully monitored to ensure we pick at the perfect moment, capturing ideal balance in every cluster.

Harvest is never without its challenges. We constantly watch the ever-changing weather, especially during this critical period. The vineyard team and winemaker ride the ups and downs of Mother Nature’s moods, which can shift in an instant. Hand harvesting is time-consuming and labor-intensive, but it is essential. Each cut of the shears represents nearly nine months of work, starting in January with pruning and now culminating in the excitement of harvest.

We’re just getting started. With red varieties still on the vine, harvest will continue well into October. Stay tuned for more updates from the vineyard as we move through this busy, beautiful season. We can’t wait to share the fruits of our labor with you in the glass.