The winter was particularly mild and wet, lavishly replenishing water reserves
and guaranteeing the vines many months of active growth. These elements
were crucial in determining our biodynamic approach for the year.

The absence of cold weather encouraged very early budbreak. However, many
weeks of cool and damp weather then greatly slowed vine growth.

Flowering, which occurred in late May, was a very stressful time. Fortunately,
everything went well.

Then, in early July, the skies unexpectedly changed their plans again, bringing
us more than three months of hot and dry weather.

The summery conditions lasted almost until mid-October, allowing us to
prepare for the harvest in a serene frame of mind.

We started to pick the Merlot on September 28th, then the Cabernet Sauvignon
on October 4th, and ended the harvest on the 12th.