From the Tablas Creek newsletter:
“Lots to report for so early in the season, as it looks like we’re roughly two weeks ahead of last year’s pace. We began harvesting August 26th with two Viognier blocks, then followed with our first Syrah, Vermentino, Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne in subsequent days. We even brought in America’s first-ever harvest of Clairette Blanche last week! Quality looks tremendous; we’ve been doing more night harvesting than ever before, ensuring the grapes stay cool and pristine. Quantity looks about average, down some 20% from last year.”
The multiple cuttings of various Rhone varietals which have been held up in quarantine and are being released to Tablas slowly appear to be “bearing fruit”.