Stuhlmuller Vineyards: An Evocative Crush Snapshot
I head out the Alexander Valley Road to West Soda Rock Road for some up-close-and-personal crush activity at Stuhlmuller Vineyards.
Just before the Alexander Valley Bridge over the Russian River- or just after, depending on your direction.
Heading down West Soda Rock Road….
Stuhlmuller Vineyards offered me the chance to come shoot while they are taking in fruit. Due to the vagaries of scheduling and brix, I missed shooting the fruit in the bins, but caught the chardonnay pressing and some other lovely harvest shots. I hiked down through the vineyards towards the Russian River, trying, in vain, to capture on film. at least, two turkeys and a rabbit who dogged my steps. An incredible almost-Fall day, temperature about 90 degrees F., slightly misted blue skies, hanging grapes, turning leaves, gorgeous vistas….a true Alexander Valley afternoon to remember. It was actually the Last Day of Summer 2012. Stroll with me:
Roses foreground; working winery tucked just behind….
Roses!
Cabernet Sauvignon.
cab sauv.
Bins….
Interiors (Sorry Woody….)
Great stems….
Where the action is- sun canopy to protect same….
Pressing matters.
Dona nobis pacem….
Pressing chardonnay.
View southeast from the catwalk above the action…
Lots of activity.
Harvest CRUSH Central.
Alien spacecraft presence? Foil on my head now?
Just as Wine Road favorite auteur John Beck explains in his Wine-Road-executive-produced HARVEST, grapes are often picked at night when temperatures are cool to better protect the delicate fruit. The lights in the dark vineyards create an otherworldly feel, looking a bit like space alien landings might; by day, they maintain their mystery by looking out of place in the rural landscape. (HARVEST is on the schedule at The Raven in Healdsburg later this next week- John Beck will meet & greet on 28 and 29 September 2012. Click here.)
Joaquin Phoenix and I do have foil on our heads…but these light contraptions merely show that to preserve the delicate grapes, many harvests occur at night…
Colorful, practical drying racks….
Close up, Mr. DeMille….
Chardonnay.
Walnuts. Blue skies….
Vineyard stroll….looking east.
Looking west.
Tidy stack of individual bins…
Militarily ordered plum trees.
Here’s looking at you, kids.
TR
The TR.
Go Bears.
Thanks Tracy, great shots and a wonderful Stuhlmuller tour!
Hi Jacque: Thanks for having me over; such a lovely place! Loved my Stuhlmuller Chardonnay! TR