2024 was a positive surprise for our Grape Creek, Invention and Kuhlman estate vineyards after last year’s boiling-point scorcher. Budbreak was a bit early and then temperatures moderated for most of the Summer. At a certain point, usually around 98*F, vines stop metabolizing, so ripening is somewhat on hold until temperatures cool. We had welcome, well-spaced rainfall throughout the winter into the mid-growing season, and we benefited from relatively “cool” days (by Texas standards) throughout most of the growing season. Even with a more temperate weather, harvest arrived at our usual time with good maturity and fruit quality.  Overall, we had a very good harvest with respect to yields and a long, essentially uninterrupted maturing time for great quality across all our estate properties.

Clint Messimer and Melissa Talton – HFB Vineyard Managers