Introduction: 

The story of Harvest 2023 at M Cellars is one of dedication, precision, and the pursuit of excellence. From the careful selection of grapes to the skilled hands that harvest them, every step in the process is a testament to the passion that goes into crafting exceptional wines. As the season unfolds, we eagerly anticipate the fruits of this labor, knowing that they will result in wines that reflect the true essence of the vineyard, the season, and the hands that tend to it. This is the story of what went into the Harvest of 2023 by Tara Meineke. 

September 7: Pruning the Vines, the Key to Quality 

Another day in the vineyard, and today I was the “butcher”. I found myself nervous at the start, staring at the vines, knowing it was my discretion to decide what stayed and what went; I was afraid to make the first cut. Quickly I was reminded that wine is made in the vineyard, and the best is made in vineyards when one is willing to sacrifice quantity for quality. 

The Art of Selective Harvesting: 

Of course, every vineyard owner is going to have the same uneasy, guilty feeling the first time he or she drops fruit from a vine. It seems wasteful, and when you see a cluster of nearly perfect grapes lying on the ground next to your feet, you beg to ask why. 

It’s about the wine, yes, the wine. The grapes on the ground will soon decompose and return to the soil to nurture future crops. The idea behind dropping fruit is simple: the vine has only so much energy, and by reducing the number of clusters, you end up with a more concentrated juice and much better, much more intense wine. A practice that proves true when experiencing the extensive wine portfolio at M Cellars. 

Years ago when we started this process, we were apprehensive. Today, it’s simply what needs to be done to achieve the quality of wines our guests deserve. Having control in deciding what fruit goes into your bottle and only selecting the best, it’s empowering. After all, it’s why we’re here. 

September 9: Bridging Generations: Berry Sampling for Harvest 2023 

We brought out M Cellars second-generation farmers Madelyn and Amelia to do some berry sampling. It was agreed that the Pinot Gris  and Pinot Noir berries taste ripe with seeds that are brown. Harvest 2023 is close! Of course, Maddie wanted to check the Riesling, for her sparkling wine ‘Madelyn’. More time and sunshine for those berries; they made us pucker! 

Berry sampling is done for several reasons between veraison and harvest. While it is frequently used to plot the development of maturing fruit, its most important use is to determine when fruit is ready to harvest. Determining when grapes are at optimal ripeness is another key element in what needs to be done to achieve the quality of wines you deserve. 

“At M Cellars, our wine is made in the vineyard” ~Matt Meineke

September 16: The First Fruits of Harvest 2023 

Today is the day we begin to harvest our 2023 vintage fruit. Due to some cold damage in one of the most tender varieties we grow, the decision was made to hand-harvest some perfectly ripe Gewürztraminer while leaving the undeveloped secondary fruit behind. I can’t wait to get this fruit processed and into production! Look for this single vineyard VERY small lot wine from the Vineyard Woods site in the early months of 2024. 

September 20: Precision in Action: Machine Harvesting the Premium Pinot Gris 

Bright and early start for this harvest morning. We’re off to machine-pick our premium Vineyard Woods Pinot Gris.

A Flawless Day at Vineyard Woods 

We will call this a successful day picking at Vineyard Woods and processing on our crush pad. Our harvester, tractor, and crush equipment all worked perfectly and the team didn’t skip a beat. At the end of the day, we have some really nice Pinot Gris in the tank and custom-processed a block of Pinot Noir! 

September 26: A Golden Opportunity: Estate-Grown Pinot Gris and Premium Chardonnay 

This weather has been unreal so we took advantage and finished up our estate-grown Pinot Gris and custom harvested/processed some premium Chardonnay from Vineyard Woods as well. Some picture-perfect fruit going from harvester to bin just before loading into the press. Our machine cleanly destems and sorts fruit directly off the vine. The winemaking process truly starts at the harvester and that’s why we chose the best years ago. Lakeview Vineyard Equipment Inc. thanks for supplying this quality Gregoire harvester and keeping it running properly

October 1: The Start of the Winemaking Process 

“Legacy is not what I did for myself. It’s what I’m doing for the next generation.” ~ Vitor Belfort

Spent time with my sidekicks teaching the process and purpose of “punch downs”. While we do utilize other progressive methods, the one today is the tried-and-true industry standard.

In winemaking, when fermentation begins, the grape skins and solids rise to the surface because of the carbon dioxide gas that fermentation creates. “Punch down” is the term us winemakers use for breaking up this cap of skins and solids that forms over fermenting red wine. We don’t want the cap to dry out, as this would not allow the juice to have the skin contact it needs for the extraction of tannins and color. 

October 2: Another Day of Harvesting  

Bringing in the good stuff today! Estate-grown Chardonnay for vintage 2023! 

October 9: A Perfect Day to Harvest Riesling  

More estate-grown fruit coming in today! This is our Riesling that’s located just behind the winery. Can’t wait to work with this clean fruit! 

October 16: The End of Harvest 

We wrapped up all of our harvesting on our estate vineyards. Our Bordeaux varieties are always the last grapes to enter the winery and these didn’t disappoint. We had some nice late-season weather to work in and it also gave the vines a nice last push to get the fruit ripe. All is fermenting happily at this point and the young wines are quite lovely. As always we look forward to sharing the finished wines with all of you! 

Conclusion: 

Harvest 2023 was a successful endeavor! Under the meticulous care of seasoned vintners, the grapes were picked to ensure optimal ripeness and flavor profile. The yield is a testament to a favorable growing season and promises a vintage of exceptional quality and character.

Cheers to Harvest 2023!  Matt & Tara