From my pal Gary Warburton, some great pics of a great harvest  at Phifer Pavitt Winery.  Can’t wait to get there myself next February!  And, if you have a great harvest story to tell, in words or photos, we’d love to see it!

Hi All,

I am so happy to send you this e-mail– it signifies the end of a very successful first harvest at our Phifer Pavitt Winery in Calistoga.  In years past we have been crafting our highly acclaimed “Date Night Cabernet” at a custom crush facility in the Napa Valley. After five years of planning, permits, and equipment procurement, we harvested,  beginning at 9:30 PM on Thursday and finished the sorting and “tanking” of the fruit at exactly 11:57 PM on Friday. The following photos depict a very successful, fun and LONG harvest.  I’ll keep you all updated on the fermentation and pressing which should be completed sometime after Thanksgiving.

Love you all
Gary
www.phiferpavittwine.com
www.datenightwine.com

WE ARE NOT OPOSED TO CHILD LABOR--10:00 PM Thursday in the Temple Family Vineyards picking the future 2011 Date Night Cabernet

The receiving hoper, elevator, destemmer, and vibrating sorting table await the fruit

The first EVER "Date Night Cabernet" grapes to pass into production at the winery

Three "Children" feeding the grapes into the destemmer.

Midnight Friday and the final fruit is sorted by the local crew who have been at this table since 10:00 AM.