Winemaking 101

wine bottling area

wine bottling facility

     A big day yesterday for Mayor: time to bottle up the 2015.  Given the drought year of 2015, the crop was about 1/3 less than average.  This translates into far less at the bottling site.  The day was beautiful, conditions perfect for the effort.  A fining agent-Goldenclar- had been added the night before.  The results were excellent and the final process could proceed.  All the equipment was ready:  filler, corker, hoses, corks, and willing hands set to work.   By 5 pm , the job was done.  After a few days of "breathing and off-gassing, the bottles will receive a seal to finish the effort.  Labels will be added at a later date.  
       This is the 3rd vintage of our Santa Rosa Pinot Noir.   Pinot Noir is that flavorful red known as burgundy in Francia.   We just finished a French burgundy, Domaine Alain Michelot, 2010.  It was very good, but different than the Santa Rosa version.   This variety is shipped from Baune, in eastern France, near Alsace.