Vineyard Updates

12 grape clusters, each a different Pinot Noir clones from Hallberg Ranch, laid out and clearly labeled on a wooden table.

The Clones of Emeritus Vineyards

Each Pinot Noir clone has its own special characteristics. Assistant Vineyard Manager Riggs Lokka is going to tell us more about each clone and show us how to identify different clones by cluster shape!

Three Emeritus Vineyard workers harvesting grapes in our estate vineyard on a cool, foggy West Sonoma County morning.

Early Harvest Update

Harvest is coming earlier than ever in Sonoma County this year. Our crop looks good and the vines are healthy. In some areas of the vineyards we have already begun picking for the 2022 vintage!

Emeritus winemaker David Lattin speaking to visitors in our cellar room at the end of a tour, framed by stacks of barrels behind him on either side.

Winery Update, July 2022

Things are starting to get busy again. The barrels have all been tasted and put into one of the 12 different wines we will bottle this summer, we began racking last week, and our cellar interns are all ready for the coming harvest season!

Zach, with a bottle and a glass of Ruby Ruby, sitting outside the tasting room at the picnic table under our catalpa tree.

Meet Zach

Zach’s first introduction to the culture of wine was an exchange trip to Alsace, France. Turns out it was the first step on the path to being here at Emeritus Vineyards for our 2022 harvest!

In the foreground is a wooden post at the beginning of row 1, block I, in Hallberg Ranch, noting that the row contains clone 37. In the background are more vines and the distant building of Emeritus' winery.

Vineyard Update, June 2022

With summer upon us, the vineyard crew is working as fast as possible to keep up with our growing vines. The main task on their plate right now is leafing—going vine by vine and selectively removing leaves.

A closeup of grape flowering, or bloom, against a backdrop of grape leaves and a supporting trellis wire.

Vineyard Update, May 2022

It’s that time again! Between Hallberg Ranch and Pinot Hill, we’re at about 75% bloom.

Spring Update, March 2022

Spring has sprung in the vineyards, with more delicate new buds breaking out into the sunshine all the time. Meanwhile, in the cellar, our winemaking team has the wonderful job of tasting through all the wines from 2021 harvest. There’s a lot happening this spring, and a lot to look forward to!

Recently pruned winter vines at Hallberg Ranch

Vineyard Update, February 2022

Out in our estate vineyards, the Emeritus crew has finished pruning at both ranches. Now we prepare for the much anticipated bud break!

A member of Team Emeritus tying vines at Hallberg Ranch during the winter pruning, January 2022.

Vineyard Update, January 2022

Winter pruning is well underway, and our vineyard team is busy pruning and tying vines as fast as possible before bud break!

Hallberg Ranch vines entering their dormant state for the winter.

Vineyard Update, December 2021

Today is the solstice, and the official start of Winter. No rest for Wine Country! Every year, it’s only a short break between harvest and Winter pruning, an integral part of year-round vineyard management that ultimately affects the quality of the finished wines.

Fall foliage at Hallberg Ranch after Harvest

Harvest Update, That’s A Wrap!

We have officially wrapped up our picking season as of Saturday, September 18th! The winery is still abuzz with activity and will be for a few more weeks as the last picks become wine, but it feels great to have gotten so much done.

A hand holds a freshly harvested cluster of Pinot Noir grapes over a white plastic bin full of the same. The fruit is ready to be sorted.

Harvest Update, September 2021

As of Wednesday, September 8, we’ve brought in roughly 145 tons of gorgeous looking and tasting grapes from Hallberg Ranch!

The E-Files