Determining the pick date The first step begins with the decision to pick the grapes. Although outwardly it seems so simple there are many factors that contribute to this decision. Weather is the most important contributing factor. If it's too hot then the grapes have to be picked at night. If it looks like a long period of rain may come, the grapes may have to be picked before optimal maturity levels.
Early frosts can have a devastating effect, as well as early freezes.
The grape variety, combined with wine style, will determine the pick dates. This sees the ripeness of the grape being analyzed and judged. The grapes will be checked for their suger level and acidity levels, pH, colour, health, seed colour, aromas and flavours. Once the decision has been made to pick, containers are placed into the vineyard and the picking of that grape variety begins. At Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards everything is picked by hand, and arrives to the crush platform within eight hours of being picked.