FOrGet aBOUt SUPerStitiOnS BoUNTIFUL hARVEsTs 2013looks like another G r e aT Y e a r for W i n e Folklore says that thirteen is unlucky, but Napa Valley’s wine business is looking for a great year in 2013. And that’s coming off one of the best harvests in recent memory. by PAUL FRANsoN photos by ART & cLARITY Jspirits.”ohn Williams of Frog’s Leap Winery says, “There is nothing like agreat vintage with a full crop of fabulous fruit like 2012 to lift the He added, “And why not expect the same in 2013? The market seems strong, people are buying wine again in restaurants and the general attitude seems really good.” Williams cautioned that if there is a downside as we come into ’13 and ’14, it might be that wineries will be selling the wines of the more difficult vintages of ’10 and ’11. “It will be interesting how wineries addressed the quality issues—the terrific hot spell in ’10 and the dramatic rains of ’11.” He reminds us that there was not a large crop in either of those vintages. “Did vintners make the hard decisions of selection and declassification? What will that mean for the brands who select and bottle bulk wines? Will the wines that have built their style around power and Napa Valley, invigorated winemaking under star winemaker Stacy Clark and alcohol manage well? Will the shortages result in wineries getting greedy on a sharpened focus. prices again? I think there is a lot to think about as we wait for 2012s and Krug has also been spending heavily to restore its two giant historic hope for 2013s.” buildings, the Carriage House and Redwood Cellar, into showcases in Napa One winery that been on a roll is the Peter Mondavi family’s Charles Valley. This includes work now in process to create a modern hospitality Krug Winery. Long overshadowed by Peter’s famed brother Bob, the family including a deli in the Redwood Cellar, along with a museum of Napa has burst into renewed prominence due to heavy investment over the past Valley wines and private meeting rooms. When they’re complete, Krug will few years in replanting and upgrading its five hundred acres of vineyards in tear down its modest tasting room. These efforts should culminate in late 22 w w w. N A PA V A L L E Y L I F E m A g A z I N E . c o m
NVLife Jan-Feb 2013
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