This year has been a little weird. We got a lot of rain and up until recently it’s been markedly cold. How different is it though? One thing I like to keep in mind is that the last few years have been hot and early. Perhaps this is just a normal year and we’ve forgotten what normal looks like. Although there’s been some argument about its importance, the Winkler Growing Degree Day formula allows us to compare different seasons using the same metric. Growing Degree Days (GDD) are calculated by subtracting the grapevines’ threshold temperature (50°F) from the daily mean temperature. The chart below compares growing degree days from 2014 to July 25, 2023 (today) in Alexander Valley, Sonoma County (Data from Western Weather Group). That’s pretty different. The average GDDs at this point in the season for the last nine years is about 1650. Currently we are at 1368. What about in other parts of the state? Here’s a comparison of the last few years in P

The Chicks Launch Gaslighter Wines Nationally

Collaboration with Bundschu Winery and National Sales with Pacific Highway Wines Jan 28, 2022 (Sonoma, CA and Greensboro, NC) – American music band, The Chicks, today announce their premium wine brand, Gaslighter Wine Co, […]