2023 Vintage Report
“This vineyard site is finally becoming a cru.”
—Tyler Thomas
2023 was a relief from drought and a benefit to our vineyard. The winter of 2022-2023 produced much needed record rainfall which completely saturated the soil profile, and led to a long and cool winter/spring. Drum Canyon clearly appreciated the boost in fresh water as it emerged strongly if slowly throughout the Spring. As Spring gave way to Summer, cool temperatures remained setting up what was one of the coolest vintages we've had since 2011. While wet winters can promote vine vigor and too much vigor can be a detriment to Pinot Noir quality, the free draining nature of our soils proved its worth in controlling Pinot Noir vine vigor, and developing grapes with great character, depth of flavor, and structure. While one of the later starts to harvest on record at Drum Canyon, nearly all the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay was harvested prior to a spate of warm spells at the end of September allowing us to preserve freshness. 2023 shows off Drum Canyon's unique ability to cultivate complexity and depth of flavor even amidst a wet winter and create excellent dark fruit flavor (thanks in part to its south facing slopes) in the face of a long cool growing season. It is shaping up to be a vintage that shows off Drum Canyon's world class terroir. We are thrilled.
Effects of the 2022-2023 Winter Rainfall on the 2023 Vintage
Dr. Taylor Jones directs viticulture at the estate, and was named a 2023 Wine Industry Leader by Wine Business Monthly for his sustainability work in the Central Coast, sharing of data collected through sustainability efforts at Star Lane Vineyard with other wineries, and educational programs for the local Hispanic community. Here’s a lesson from Taylor on the true effects of heavy rains like we had in the 2022-2023 winter season:
“The 2022-2023 water year resulted in a full soil profile that gave a significant early season boost to canopies. Vines were able to extend root zones into previously untapped areas full of water and nutrients (rather than being limited to the small emitter profile). Rainfall totals were up ~20” versus the previous year, which is a lot when we average around 10” total. The winter rains also reduced our total water usage significantly. This year we reduced our spring water usage by 74% compared to previous vintages. One of the most significant impacts of heavy winter rains, especially in our area, was the leaching of salt out of the root zones. Heavy reliance on irrigation plus a lack of winter rains will result in salts building up on and around the vine root zones. Without significant rains to leach the salts away, sodium ions will remain in the rooting profile causing inhibited root growth, stunted vines, ion toxicity, water stress, and nutrient deficiencies.”
What Goes into a Pick-Call?
Watch as Tyler Thomas explains from Drum Canyon Vineyard right at the beginning of the 2023 harvest how he uses experience and sensory input to know if it’s time to pick Pinot Noir. You have to know your vineyard in order to make the call.