Follow-Up File: Red Soles runs strong in recession

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• Wine Notes: Cold spring helps pinot crop after recent rain

  Wine Notes: Cold spring helps pinot crop after recent rain

  Ironically, poor weather in the spring is helping protect Laetitia Vineyard & Winery’s pinot noir crop as it faces this late harvest and recent rain.

  April frosts caused a condition known as “shatter,” as grape buds were destroyed by the freeze.

  But that led to looser clusters on the pinot noir vines, said Lino Bozzano, vice president of vineyard operations for Laetitia, located south of Arroyo Grande.

• The Grapevine: Mendocino has much to brag about

  The Grapevine: Mendocino has much to brag about

  The Anderson Valley gets a lot of attention these days. And why not? Pinot noir has been the darling of the wine world in recent years, and Anderson Valley is the source of some stellar pinot.

  But Mendocino County encompasses so much more than the Anderson Valley. The bulk of the county’s more than 17,000 acres of wine grapes are inland. The leading grape varieties grown there are cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, but some of the most intriguing wines are made from less-widespread varieties, especially zinfandel and Italian grapes like barbera and nero d’avola.

  It’s hardly surprising that Italian grape varieties would thrive in Mendocino County. Many of the area’s early growers and vintners were of Italian descent. John Parducci for years was the face of Mendocino County winemaking. More recently, winemaker Greg Graziano—whose grandfather planted vineyards in Mendocino County in the early 20th century — has become known for wines made from Italian varieties under the Enotria and Monte Volpe labels.

• Reworking Norman Vineyards in Paso Robles

  Reworking Norman Vineyards in Paso Robles

  A longtime member of the Paso Robles wine community, Norman Vineyards, plans to sell its 40-acre property west of Paso Robles, including the winery it has operated for nearly 20 years.

  Meanwhile, its general manager and winemaker, Steve Felten, is planning to consult while he launches his own label.

  With 23 acres of vineyards and 5,000 square feet of winery and tasting room space, Jim Norman, the founders' son, said the property is listed at about $3.8 million. Already it has garnered serious interest.

• Newest winery in Templeton Gap opens its doors

  Newest winery in Templeton Gap opens its doors

  A new, remote Paso Robles winery opened its tasting room last weekend during the region’s harvest celebration.

  “We must have had over 1,500 visitors,” said Georges Daou, who built Daou Vineyards & Winery with his brother and the winemaker, Daniel Daou.

  About half of those visitors were invited. The rest wandered in during their Harvest Wine Weekend explorations. The annual Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance event highlights tasting and special events at member wineries.

• Late harvest may crush vintners

  Late harvest may crush vintners

  Prices for Central Coast grapes are on the rise. That’s good news for vineyard owners. But with a small crop and higher costs due to challenging weather this season, profitability remains a key concern.

  “A couple of years ago, it might not have been a bad thing to have a lighter crop to bring the market in balance,” said Matt Turrentine, who oversees the Central Coast for Novato-based Turrentine Brokerage. “But we’re in balance now, so a lighter crop is not doing anybody any favors.”

  Cool weather, untimely rains and spring frosts set back ripening in San Luis Obispo County vineyards an average of about three weeks. At this rate, many farmers expect to be picking through the end of November, increasing the risk of rain damage to hanging fruit.