Central Coast Wine Services: Feed the Yeast 2007

Today was a great learning experience. I'm volunteering at CCWS in Santa Maria and helping out winemaker Jeff Wilkes. I got to check out the 2007 Solomon hills Pinot cold soaking in the vats today. Right now they smell of blueberry and earl grey tea with Jasmine floral notes. After the punch down , we got the fermentation started with two different yeast cultures. I.E. "pitch the yeast". It will be fun to go in tomorrow and hopefully see the yeast in action.

Besides the copious amounts of water used to wash everything, searching your brain for liter to gallon to ton to yield conversions, watching yeast make bubbles, the best part is getting to taste the 2006 barrels. The 2006 Solomon Hills pinot noir just tastes spectacular right now in the barrel. Silk smooth, rich fruit, sweet but not sugar sweet. Its a jewel. The 2006 Bien Nacido block Q pinot noir also amazing. Big black cherry cola nose . I loved it. I'm very much looking forward to having a bottle someday.

We also tasted a small amount of chardonnay ( same lot 2 different barrels) the first barrel had a great rounded mouthfeel.( maloactic fermentation). The second was more green and earthy( in a good way) with a real pretty fruit and an astringent finish. It will be interesting to taste the finished product.

Can't wait for tomorrow!