In 2020 when the pandemic hit, there was much uncertainty, but one thing was clear: people lost their jobs and were struggling to provide enough food for their families. At the same time, we had about 13 acres of vineyard land resting fallow before we replanted the next year. We have a longstanding family tradition of supporting a nearby food bank by donating our extra fruits and vegetables, so the empty field got us thinking…let’s plant a garden specifically to supply produce for those in need. It has now become a permanent fixture at Hafner Vineyard and yielded more than 8,800 pounds of produce for people in need. 

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This Harvest marks our 40th Harvest here at Hafner Vineyard. We (Parke and Sarah) wanted to share a look back over the Harvests to share some stories, what has changed and what is the same. We also share some photos from the archives from the early 1980s. We hope you enjoy it, and we are excited what the next 40 Harvests hold. 

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Winemaking is science driven and hence an ever-evolving profession. Through experimentation, we always strive to improve our techniques, processes and ultimately our wine. Cork is a natural product; one that we consider 100% sustainable. However, there is a component (trichloroanisole or TCA) that can impart a musty quality and hence ruin the wine. We call this a "corky" wine. Cork producers have worked hard to eliminate TCA or at least mitigate its impact. In the quest to do so, a French company named Diam has created a new technical cork. After many trials and conversations with colleagues, we decided to move from "punch corks" to Diam "technical corks".

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We make two different Chardonnays from the same vineyard - our main and Reserve Chardonnays. Patrons often ask why we do this and what the difference is between the two wines. Generally speaking, the main Chardonnay is a blend of California and French winemaking techniques that yield a bright, crisp, citrus driven wine. In comparison, the Reserve Chardonnay is all barrel fermented, goes through malolactic fermentation and is aged "sur lies". This wine is more complex with flinty aromas and a soft, round palate. Here, we dive deeper into the differences between these Chardonnays. 

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Since last year's Kincade Fire reached our hillsides, threatening the winery, vineyard and homes, we have taken many actions to prepare for future fires. Fire officials suggest two main goals for preparing for a wildfire: 1. Create “defensible space” and 2. “Harden structures”.  We took these recommendations and made several changes that we hope will help when the next wildfire comes our way. California has experienced devastating fires these past years. Five out of the six largest fires in California history occurred just this year. As the climate continues to become drier and hotter with stronger winds, we can only predict that massive fires will continue. All of us on the West Coast and in many other areas are faced with this annual challenge. Together, hopefully, we can work to make a difference.

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