After a mild winter, bud break occurred “on schedule” during the first ten days of April. We endured one relatively mild freeze after that, which our wind machine handled with no noticeable damage to the new growth. Spring was sunny and dry with a few showers – just enough moisture to avoid having to irrigate. If summer follows this spring’s pattern, we could have our best growing season yet (our seventh).

We expect a small first crop from two of our three 2004 plantings this year – merlot and our greatly anticipated brunello sangiovese. Our viognier, a slow developer, will probably have to grow another year before it yields a harvestable crop.

In late winter, we bottled our first 2005 wine – Sweet Niagara (Yadkin Valley appellation) – our first in our new winery and our only wine not produced entirely from our own grapes. Released in early spring, what a winner it has proven to be, setting an early high standard for winemaker Sean McRitchie.

As we go to press, our 2005 barrel fermented chardonnay has been bottled, and we anticipate its release in the fall, complete with our newly designed label. Early indications are that it will easily surpass our popular 2003 and 2004 vintages and will rival our now famous 2002 chardonnay.

As for our 2005 reds, they are all still resting comfortably in barrel under Sean’s watchful eye, with anticipated bottling dates around October – December. Make a note now to be on the lookout for our ’05 estate bottled merlot, cabernet franc and nebbiolo, all of which are showing excellent color and depth in barrel.

In the meantime, we are preparing to bottle our first red blend, a delicious red table wine we have decided to call “Fiddler’s Red” in recognition of our “old time” music roots here at Round Peak. We expect Fiddler’s Red to appeal to most wine lovers at a very reasonable price. Look for it around harvest time (September).

Our tasting room is now open five days per week, Thursday through Monday. We have been fortunate to obtain the talented services of Joanna McKeown, wife of our vineyard manager Josh McKeown, to greet you in the tasting room every Thursday. Expect to see the owners there Fridays through Mondays. Our wines can also be tasted at the Yadkin Valley Wine Bar in the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.