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In exceptionally warm years, when the grapes ripen to perfection, Marichel Vineyard offers certain wines under the Splitrock designation. (Only those years when the accumulated heat units pass a certain very high threshold is this designation even considered. See the accompanying story elsewhere on this site for all the details.) The 2009 vintage exceeded the Splitrock threshold by a substantial margin- coming second only to the record-breaking summer of 2003 for total heat units during the growing season. Had an early frost not ended this year's growing season abruptly on October 10th, we might well have set a new record. Nevertheless, the 2009 vintage is a stunner, and amply deserves special consideration. We'll offer two wines under this new label- our Marichel Vineyard 2009 Splitrock Syrah, and our 2009 Splitrock Viognier. Splitrock years only come along once or twice per decade- don't miss out on this release!
New for 2010, by popular demand - the Marichel 2009 Syrah-Viognier Marichel Viognier - A new, single-vineyard bottling for 2010 Quantities and price: TBA The 2009 Vintage November 1, 2009 Early indications of a great vintage have been born out. All our wines fermented beautifully and show great promise. Our 2009 Splitrock Viognier may well be the best we've ever made. The 2009 Syrah came in unbelievably ripe - it will be a deep and concentrated wine in the mold of the classic Marichel 2006 Syrah. October 12, 2009 Well, doesn't that beat all? Following a near-record hot year, a hard frost has shut down the growing season everywhere in the Okanagan Valley! Fortunately the otherwise great conditions have ripened the grapes beautifully. It's going to be a great vintage. September 29, 2009 It just won't stop being a fantastic growing season. We have accumulated enough heat over the growing season for this vintage to qualify as a Splitrock! (See the accompanying story elsewhere on our site.) August 21, 2009 The beautiful weather continues. In contrast to 2008, which was the coldest growing season in the last decade, 2009 promises to be one of the best. We're now rivalling the legendary summers of 2003 and 2004 for total accumluated heat units. The forecast? Continuing warm and sunny for the remainder of August. August 5, 2009 The late start and slow beginning to the growing season gave way in mid-June to mostly hot, dry conditions. Other than a few vines that were damaged by last winter's deep freezes, the vineyard is now maturing well and carrying a respectable crop. The change in weather was dramatic. Despite the exceptionally cool start to the growing season, the Growing Degree Days (GDD) for 2009 has now surpassed that of the previous hottest year on record, 2003! May 25, 2009 Like the 2008 vintage, this year's growing season in the Okangan Valley is significantly delayed. A cold winter and spring has pushed growth back several weeks at least, in some varieties. Our Viognier is now showing good vigor, while the Syrah still lags well behind in some zones. Sunny skies and warm nights are forecast for the next week and will hopefully bring on good growth. For customers who are unable to visit our winery, we offer economical DHL shipping to your door anywhere in Canada. Simply phone or email with your order.
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Market Restaurant by Jean-Georges – Vancouver - 604 689-1120
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marichel vineyard + winery 2008. all rights reserved. 