Bistro Freres Wines      HARVEST 2004 | home | area | history of its wine | our story | vineyards | purchase | contact | | 2004 harvest | 2005 harvest | early 2006 report |   The 2004 Harvest Our first harvest began in mid-October 2004, and continued through the month – late for this area, as the growing year was both cooler and wetter than usual, punctuated by a beautiful Indian summer. The harvest was bountiful and lush. Bountiful in this area means 20 hectoliters per hectare (2.47 acres), whereas in the Napa Valley yields are typically three times larger. Even for the best vineyards in the finest grape growing regions, these are remarkably low yields.  Each vine bears few clusters with small grapes which are picked by hand, sorted at the winery, and fermented using only natural, indigenous yeasts. The three vineyards are fermented separately with blends and special cuvees determined later. In 2004, we subsequently blended the wine into one cuvee called "Sanglier Volant" which we believe reflects the harvest well and will be immediately delicious upon release in September 2006.