The 2014 growing season got off to a fast start, with the vines awaking early in spring. Though drought conditions continued throughout California, moderate summer weather and a lack of any long-term heat spikes allowed us to avoid any issues. The steady weather contributed to ideal even ripening, and our first pick came into the winery in early August—one of our earliest starts on record. By the time the first rains arrived in late September, harvest was essentially complete. As a result, for the third straight year, the quality of the harvest was exceptional.