Yes, it has been a wet year in wine country. The Russian River flooded twice during the month on February, with last week’s storm causing serious damage to communities along its banks. As I write this (March 2nd) roads are still closed, electricity is spotty, and the mop up has just begun. Not a pretty sight. On a personal note, the Tierney family home sits on the banks of the Russian River in Guerneville – the center of the flood zone. Fortunately, water was contained to our basement area. A work crew is cleaning up and we should be back to normal in a couple of days.
There has
been some damage to vineyards along the Russian River and nearby tributaries,
but the vines are dormant this time of year, so catastrophic damage was
avoided. The winery was out of harm’s way, though nearby roads were closed.
Work continues at the winery. Our 2018 Russian River Rose of Pinot Noir has been universally well received, and the 2018 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Grenache Blanc will soon follow. Meanwhile, client bottling remains a constant, and finishing the wines in tank and barrel is an ongoing concern.
We are preparing the Tasting Room grounds for the picnic season, and have made most of our decisions regarding this summer’s Street Music concert program.
In the
meantime we are waiting for the sun to return. Come join us as we wait – we’ll
share a glass of wine.
Cheers,
Mike Tierney
President, Taft Street Winery