Many California wineries are preparing for an earlier-than-usual harvest this season. While early harvests aren't uncommon, they often require a different winemaking approach. Fruit chemistry can look very different than expected. Sugar may be ready before color and tannin development have fully caught up. Nitrogen levels and acidity may not resemble last year's fruit. And with fruit arriving over a shorter period of time, presses, tanks, and cellar operations can reach capacity much sooner.
The challenge isn't simply harvesting earlier. It's recognizing that the protocols you've relied on in previous vintages may need to be adjusted to match this year's fruit.
In our latest Winemaker's Toolbox, ATPGroup's technical team highlights five areas worth evaluating before harvest reaches full speed, including:
Protecting color before it's lost
Matching fermentation strategies to this year's fruit
Improving clarification and cellar efficiency
Managing acidity and balance
Planning ahead to avoid harvest bottlenecks
Read the Winemaker's Toolbox for practical recommendations that can help you get the most from your harvest:
Every vintage is different. This year's fruit deserves its own game plan. For help identifying the right solutions for your winery, contact your ATPGroup Technical Representative or Enology Products Specialist, call (707) 836-6840, or visit www.ATPGroup.com.
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ATPGroup was founded as a family business in 1991. Now a leading supplier to the wine, beer, food, and pharmaceutical markets, we strive to provide solutions and create value for our customers in each of the industries we serve. The company offers an unparalleled range of high-quality products and services including winemaking & cellar products, brewery supplies, glassware, cleaning & sanitation solutions, tartaric acid, cream of tartar, and Rochelle salt. Its team is made up of industry veterans, cellar masters, and product specialists who provide technical expertise in their respective fields. With warehouses across the country, the company is strategically located to serve customers throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.