Believe it or not, the 2007 vintage is underway in various parts of the northern hemisphere, a point driven home when I tried to schedule an appointment this week with George Bursick at J Vineyards & Winery.
Bursick, who has taken over winemaking at J following a long and successful reign at Ferrari-Carano, is sorta kind of busy this week bringing in grapes for sparkling wine.
This is the most hectic time of year for winemakers, a veritable sprint from the first pickings of harvest until the last of the reds go into the barrel, usually sometime in early November. It’s a great time to be in wine country taking in the sights and smells of wine being made.
Which brings me to an unusual event in the Napa Valley in October. Well, I’m not so sure it’s all that unusual anymore, but it’s definitely not your everyday spin through wine country, tasting everything they make at seven or eight winery stops until your teeth are purple.
The winemakers at Judd’s Hill, Art and Judd Finkelstein, are hosting an event they call “Barrel Blending Day Camp” on Oct. 21 at their winery, Judd’s Hill, along the Silverado Trail.
Campers will, following a bit of instruction from the pros, have the opportunity to create their own blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Cost is $135 per head, but you get to take a bottle of your personal blend home with you.
For more information or to sign up, visit www.napamicrocrush.com or call 707-255-2332 and ask for Judd.
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