Bells Echo Vineyard Information

2007, our third year of owning Bells Echo Vineyard proved to be a year of excitement and encouragement for the future. The growing season was near perfect, sales of grapes improved, as did prices. All good news as we continue to cultivate new and old friendships. We sold grapes to repeat clients and we established some very exciting new relationships in California and diversified to other growing wine regions in the United States. We are looking forward more than ever to the 2008 farming season. We continue to practice the sustainable farming practices we established when we first acquired Bells Echo Vineyard in 2005. Now into our fourth season we are certainly seeing the benefits of a more natural, organic farming process. We continue to use cover crops, organic compost, and soil amendment program. We continued the organic program for 10 acres of Merlot and 5 acres of Petit Verdot. Pat Rogers, our vineyard manager, has put together an organic program that we expect will further increase the quality and flavors of the Merlot and Petit Verdot fruit. These blocks will be certified organic for the 2009 Harvest. The vines have responded and we have received many favorable responses and comments as to the increase of flavors of the fruit we are producing. Our 2007 production matched our 2006 production, averaging a low yield of three and a half tons per acre. The quality of the fruit was exceptional. A near perfect growing season and a warm dry fall, after some early rains and cool weather allowed for great hang time and beautiful ripe fruit. Our buyers were able to select picking dates and the ripeness they desired for their grapes. The results were intense flavors, deep rich color, and very clean fruit. From a sales standpoint it was very gratifying that winemakers who purchased grapes in 2005 and 2006 liked the quality and consistence of our fruit and purchased again in 2007. We also had some great unexpected new winemakers approach us and purchase fruit. These winemakers were from diverse areas of the country. ...