Drum roll please ... we are excited to announce the wines of our 2016 Fall Release, coming August 16, 2016.

• 2014 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay
• 2014 Durell Vineyard Pinot Noir
• 2014 Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir
• 2013 Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

With these vintages, Three Sticks Winemaker Bob Cabral debuts his long-term vision for our estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay programs!

If you are already a member of our allocation list, look for an email announcing that the allocation is open. If you would like to sign up for the allocation list, please follow the link below.(You can also get hold of us by phone at 707 996 3328, or email info@threestickswines.com!)

[ JOIN THE THREE STICKS ALLOCATION LIST ]

And ... while we wait for the Fall wines to officially release, we sat down with Bob to check in on how the 2016 vintage fruit is looking out in the vineyards. Here's what he had to say:

How do you determine when it is the optimal time to pick a vineyard?
This really varies from vineyard to vineyard. Over the years I have come to rely on looking at the ripeness of seeds - meaning; are they turning from green to golden to brown. I also tend to eat a lot of berries and taste for acidity. Then i look at the canes on the vines to see how “woody” or lignified they are as well as the where the cluster connects to the cane.

We know that many winemaker / growers prefer to harvest their grapes at night. Why is this?
The largest advantage is that the fruit comes in cool and this help with cold soaking the reds and keeping the white cold to settle after pressing. Another huge advantage is that the vines are physiologically asleep. The fruit is in a good resting place without the transfer of fluids or photosynthesis occurring. The fruit is more turgid and biochemically stable.

What effects in general, have you observed that the past years drought has had on vineyards in Sonoma County as a whole?
Without much rain in the winter, the soils tend to build up in salts that can prevent the uptake of nutrients. Much like the surrounding oaks and redwoods the vines are tired and stressed from the lack of water and they tend to go into a survival mode -- which can translate into less fruit. The winter rains of 2016 have definitely helped ease that stress, at least for the 2016 vintage!

Cheers to Harvest 2016 ... and the Fall Release wines from Three Sticks. Hope to see you at The Adobe soon!