And so it begins at Lourensford…
Monday, 26 January, 2015
Lourensford Wine Estate
With most people still finding their feet after the holiday, the winery team at Lourensford already harvested the first grapes for our MCC in the second week of January. The earliest harvest date at Lourensford yet.
The Chardonnay were picked on the 14th of January in small 20kg picking crates to ensure they don’t start crushing eachother. It then spent the night in a cool store before it was brought into the winery on the 15th to be pressed as whole bunches. Minimal handling is of the essence to ensure we have the perfect juice for our 2015 MCC that will be released in roughly 48 months and is made according to the traditional Method Champenoise of 2 fermentations. Riddling (the slow turning of the bottles to encourage the lees to gather in the bottle neck) is done by hand to remove the lees from the second fermentation.
Following right on the Chardonnay’s heels, were the Pinot noir. Harvested on the 19th and once again brought in the following day to be pressed.
According to our winemaker, Hannes Nel, the harvest of the still Chardonnay will be expected any time in the next 2 weeks. He is excited about the harvest and predicts bigger crops but of great quality.
But let’s be patient and continue drinking the current 2010 MCC in the meantime. Cheers!
MCC Harvest 2nd week of January 2015
|
MCC Harvest 2nd week of January 2015
|
MCC Harvest 2nd week of January 2015
|
MCC Harvest 2nd week of January 2015
|