The 2011 growing season was a story of extreme weather that paradoxically combined to balance out and add up to an “average” year. An unusually warm Winter was followed by an unusually cold Spring and Summer, with a historic number of daily low temperature records broken. Mother Nature may have heard the prayers of both winemakers and wine drinkers, because what followed was one of the warmest and driest September and Octobers on record, with a similar number of records being set, this time for high temperatures. The result was the latest harvest in Winter’s Hill history, with the first grapes picked on October 23. The extra long ripening season allowed the flavors of the fruit to mature, without sugar levels surging. The results are balanced wines with great structure and body. Our 2011 Pinot gris is the third wine we have released from 2011 (after the Pinot blanc and Rosé of Pinot noir), and we are thrilled with the results. This is a wine that can be enjoyed this summer, but it is also a wine that can be put down in the cellar for 2-5 years for additional aging. The 2011 Pinot gris is round and ample, with aromas of flint and citrus such as grapefruit. On the palate the flavors are more tropical fruit, such as pineapple, with a long, clean finish.