2010 Stratus Cabernet Franc

2010 began with a relatively mild winter and lower than usual precipitation. Bud-break occurred one to two weeks early across the region, allowing for a

positive start to what turned about to be a fantastic year. Warmer than average temperatures endured throughout the spring and promoted great growth

without being too hot to shut down the

vines. Hot conditions prevailed throughout the

summer with occasional bursts of high

rainfall. Veraison was approximately one week

early in some varietals such as Malbec, Gamay, Gewürztraminer and Chardonnay.

Diligent leaf removal and fruit-thinning

throughout the vineyard, combined with

these ideal growing conditions, allowed for highly concentrated, healthy fruit and a slightly earlier harvest. Following the heat of summer, temperatures swung unusually low in the late fall and the grapes for our Icewine Red were harvested on December 14.