This Year, Ponderosa Took on Our Grapes with Gusto!
The 2024 harvest was unlike any other. The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) weather phenomenon brought a wet winter followed by an exceptionally dry summer in the southern hemisphere. This unusual weather pattern placed our grapes and vines under more stress than usual, leading to long summer days, high Brix levels (indicating higher sugar content in the grapes), and low water content. Additionally, the vineyard’s lower-than-expected yield put extra pressure on the overall output.
Dr. Kothari Sr. and Jr. identified a few areas of the vineyard where irrigation was not as consistent as we had hoped. By utilizing a hyperspectral drone, we were able to quickly assess soil moisture levels across the entire plot. This allowed us to implement a new and improved irrigation schedule, some
thing that would have been difficult to achieve through visual inspection alone. Drone analysis was truly key to this success.
After the harvest, Rapura Springs rated our Pinot Noir grape quality as 'outstanding.' We expect this vintage to hit specialty shelves by 2025. If you’re interested in securing a bottle, please contact us, and we can direct you to a reseller.
On a personal note, the Kothari family is thrilled to welcome Grishma Shanbhag into our clan following a successful wedding in Cambridge. We were especially delighted to see familiar faces from New Zealand, including Colin and Paula Hill from Wrekin Road and Guy and Cathy Gardener, who made the journey all the way from NZ. We are deeply appreciative of your attendance and for representing our extended NZ family.
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