Nearing the End

We're about to the end of Harvest 2009!

50...yes...50 tons of Cabernet are coming in today, so we're in our last big push!

The cellar guys have done an awesome job this year - and we've got high hopes for this 2009 vintage :)

We've got lots in the works...more to come on that soon!

Cheers,
Team Hook

Woo hoo!

Well after a pretty wet week last week, we're back to full speed in the cellar!

Jason and his guys are bringing in Zinfandel this week - huge beautiful clusters of dark purple peppery grapes!

Jaime and Kate will be at Pinot on the River this Sunday on the grounds of Rodney Strong Vineyards in Healdsburg! Click here for discounted tickets...we hope to see you there!

With the holidays right around the corner are you looking for a gift? A bottle of Hook & Ladder wine is a great present! Check out our website for our current releases!

Hope all is well!

Cheers,
Team Hook

Back in business

Well we're all dried out...or mostly dried out...and we're returning to business as usual after the Storm!

The cellar team is getting ready for the next round of fruit coming in...lots of Cab, Cab Franc, and Zin still to come!

Candice has been redecorating the tasting room - so we can better feature all of the awesome shirts and patches we get sent.   And we're gearing up for our fall Wine Club Pick Up Party on Friday!

Hope all weathered the storm without trouble!

Cheers,

Team Hook

Raindrops keep falling on my head...

The storms are here!

We've been anticipating this weather for the past week, and we are in the midst of the heavy rains right now. We're hurried in the last of our Chard and Pinot last week, and left our Zins and Cabs to fend for themselves, and we'll bring them in after the storms.

We hope all are weathering the storm without any problems!

Cheers,
Kate

Hook & Ladder vs. Mother Nature

It most definately feels like fall....dark skies, cold weather...makes you want to sit by the fire with a glass of Russian River Zinfandel!

The rain is coming next week - so Jason & crew are working double time to get ready for the influx of grapes they're expecting to get over the next couple of days.

We're about half way through our harvest...we've finished Gewurz & Sauv Blanc, are on the last legs of Chard & Pinot, and are getting into Cabernet Sauvignon this morning.

Over at our administrative office, at the Saitone Ranch, the Zin clusters look awesome!

Things are looking good as long as Mother Nature doesn't beat us to the punch! Hope you all have a great weekend!

Cheers,

Team Hook

Getting to Know....Jason De Loach

His talent for crafting elegant and complex wines has hearned him accolades and awards, but Jason isn't here for accolades. He has a passion for winemaking. We were able to pick his brain and see what makes him tick:

Favorite Food & Wine Pairing?
I don't really have a favorite pairing, as long as the food is good and the wine is good, that's the only thing that matters to me.

Favorite Aspect of Winemaking?
I love that it's both a science and an art. I'm the kind of person who likes to get my hands dirty, and since my roots are in the cellar, I'll jump in wherever I'm needed. I'll do any job!

Any Hobbies?
I work a lot, but the hobbies I keep up with the monst are flying and building model planes, surfing, and Taekwondo. I've just started golfing, and I also have my pilots license, I wish I could do it all, but I don't quite have the time!

What do you do the day after crush?
The day after crush is teh beginning of the next phase of winemaking, we really don't have any down time. But this year, after crush, I'm hoping for a "stay-cation" with (wife) Nicole.

Favorite Vacation Destination?
Maui has been the most relaxing vacation of all time, we spent two weeks surfing and snorkeling. Australia was awesome too!

Favorite Wine Related Memory?
I don't really have a single favorite...but there is a story about a friend of mine eating coffee grounds that makes me laugh everytime I think about it. That same friend slept on the floor of the barrel room once - I've had some fun times!
I think the people I've met, and the fun I've had are my favorite industry related memories!

Harvest Fair

We had a blast pouring at the Harvest Fair this weekend! We were slammed both days, and made lots of new friends!

The Cab Franc was a huge hit...as was the Reserve Pinot :) If you haven't been out to try some, please come on by!

The guys have a rare "light" day today..."light" meaning no grapes are coming in, but they've got all kinds of sidejobs to get finished today. This week will be a busy one for us, with grapes coming in everyday from here on out!

Cheers,
Kate

Pressing & Pumpovers

Bongiourno!

Today's menu in the cellar consists of pressing and pumpovers, with a side of topping off!

Chardonnay and Merlot are what's in store for the cellar guys today. We're de-stemming and pressing our Chardonnay, and our Merlot is being pumped over. The smell on the crushpad is awesome right now!

Here are some pictures of the Chardonnay being dumped (excuse the finger in the iPhone shots):

Our big tank - a whopping 1400 gallon tank - almost full of Merlot was being pumped over by Alex and Josh

And our Pinot...the barrels of Pinot were being moved around and topped off:

Clearing Room

Wine Stained Barrels are beautiful!

Next week looks like it's going to be a busy one at H&L...not only do we have lots of fruit coming in, and fruit to press off....there are innoculations, top offs, and all the general "winemaking duties"!

We hope you get the chance to stop by and see us before harvest is over!

Ciao,

Kate

Harvest and Fair

Gimme a Harvest! Gimme a Fair! Put 'em together...Harvest Fair!

Yes it's time for the Harvest Fair! We love this fair for a mulitude of reasons:

1) Get to taste award winning wines (a certain Cab Franc comes to mind)
2) Grape Stomp Competition - it's just fun to watch people pretend to be Lucy
3) Yumm..Turkey Leg!
4) Great artisan foods and cheese!
5) Micro brew tasting (as the saying goes - it's takes a lot of beer to make great wine)
6) Music, Petting Zoo, Llama parade, and Easy Oven Bake Off

If you're in town - definately come by this weekend! We'll be there Saturday and Sunday pouring our award winning wines :)

And in case you're curious what the cellar guys have been up to? Got a couple of "action shots" this morning for your viewing pleasure: