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Sinclair Estate Vineyards

Presents

Mike Wagoner

Singer/Songwriter Mike Wagoner playing his original mix of folk, blues & country rock.

Wines will also be available by the glass or bottle.

7-10pm Every Friday Night, No Cover!

Questions call 509.876.4300

Happy Holidays to you from all of us at Sinclair Estates.  November and December provided a ton of activity for our lives both with the 2011 Harvest, as well as the Holiday season.

First off, a quick harvest report.  Confucius said, "may you live in interesting times" and this year's harvest was"interesting" to say the least.  For us to pick, the grapes must reach a certain maturity level of flavor, sugar, and acids.  The acids were good, and the fruit flavors of the grapes were GREAT, but the sugars required to convert into alcohol just did not develop at the same rate.  This was due to our rains last spring, as well as a relatively cool summer that provided no major heat accumulation into early fall.  So, we waited, and waited, and waited!  Finally by the end of October, we started bringing in the fruit from the vineyards, and they came in fast and furious.  This took what is a normally fast paced and hard-working process, and intensified it.  The entire Sinclair team did an amazing job getting this vintage’s fruit in the door, fermenting, and pressed off to barrel.  Our biggest heartfelt thank you to all that were a part of it!  It really does take a village to make a wine, and we work with some of the best people in the world.

Some other notes from this harvest. Many of you heard of the really bad freeze last November that impacted a handful of vineyards around the state.  Because we source our grapes from so many different sources, this did not impact us in the least.  The line-up of
reds you're used to seeing from us will be available in our normal quantities and quality!  Because we had to pick the grapes with slightly lower sugar than in normal years, you can expect the alcohol content to be slightly lower than in the past.  But, we’re confident that with the great fruits and acids we tasted in the grapes and young wine, the 2011 vintage will still be delicious as in the past!  Finally, we are expanding our fruit sources for Chardonnay.  The response has been so favorable from our customers, and the press that we went after more great grapes from the same and additional, locations to make a bit more of it!  Hey, hey, Chardonnay!

With harvest behind us, we arrive at an amazing close to 2011.  It was a great year at Sinclair Estates Vineyard, and now we're anxiously looking to 2012.  Best of wishes to you and your family
for a prosperous 2012!

Cheers,

Amy Alvarez-Wampfler

Winemaker