First Color

I noticed some color on a cluster a couple of days ago, but - because it is so early - I wanted to see color elsewhere before concluding that veraison has started.  Today I found examples throughout the vineyard.

Clone 115

Clone 114

Wadenswil

Pommard

We typically begin harvest 7 to 8 weeks after first color, putting this year's harvest roughly in the last week of September.  Being earlier than usual, the temperatures are likely to be higher, which could accelerate ripening, leading to an even earlier start of harvest.  Possibly somewhat offsetting this is the longer bloom period we had this year, which could extend veraison.  Assuming normal weather patterns in August and September, I'm expecting a September harvest.