Most people in the Western Hemisphere view January 1 as the start of the New Year. People in other parts of the world, say for instance China, have another view.
Businesses are more tuned into the fiscal year.
In a winery, the yearly clock revolves around harvest. It doesn't matter if you call it harvest, or vintage, or crush, the year begins and ends when it is time to pick grapes. It was our second consecutive great vintage, which is extremely unusual for the waterlogged state in which we have chosen to make wine. Most growers and vintners in Oregon were worried about the '99 vintage. The spring was cold and vines bloomed late.