• USA
• New York
• Finger Lakes

Wet was the defining word for the early months of the 2013 growing season. Above average rainfall lasted through June, July and the first part of August. The moisture and heat resulted in vigorous canopy growth that required a great deal of attention in the vineyards. By mid August, the wet summer gave way to an extended and beautiful dry ripening period post veraison.
Moisture pressures returned in late September, as later ripening varietals experienced site specific intensive disease pressure. In large part, the premium Seneca Lake vineyards that Bellangelo has partnered with (the Tuller, Gibson, Morris and Sawmill Creek Vineyards) were able to mitigate much of the disease pressure, and in some instances and varietals, the warm August and September enabled grapes to achieve brix levels higher than were seen in the extended and warm 2012 growing season. Temperatures dropped quickly as fall approached, and by the last of Bellangelo’s Riesling harvests on November 22, 2013, the temperature was barely 20°F. Overall, 2013 was a difficult yet beautiful vintage that enabled the unique Finger Lakes combination of beautifully ripe fruit with mouth watering levels of acidity.