Newsletter

Harvest 2024: A small miracle of perfection

Here we are…celebrating the final pick of the 2024 harvest.

Reflecting back on the glorious 2024 harvest we are thankful for the relatively easy growing season combined with ideal grape ripening and pick calls. Very little drama this year, which was a welcomed surprise. Here’s the recap:

SPARKLING WINE
The first fruit to come in from our estate Anderson Valley vineyard - Chardonnay designated for the Cuvée Beret sparkling wine. Picked at 19˚ brix with bright acidity we have high hopes for this next bottle of bubbles.

CHARDONNAY
A combination of fruit from the Ukiah Valley and Anderson Valley allows us to create three distinct Chardonnays: the Special Reserve with lovely new French oak and malolactic fermentation, our Vine One, more austere with primarily tank fermentation, and our classic Mendo Chardonnay, a favorite barrel fermented wine with balanced fruit.

SAUVIGNON BLANC
On the heels of the early Chardonnay picks came the flavorful Sauvignon Blanc. Harvested over a spectrum of ripeness, Winemakers Brad and Peter aim to capture green lemongrass aromas, as well as later picks for notes of fresh melon, creating a well-rounded wine.

CHENIN BLANC
Notorious for being “ugly fruit” we know not to judge grapes based on looks alone. We walked these vineyards and kept getting low sugar readings, but our palates kept saying otherwise. The decision to bring in the fruit was based entirely on flavors. And WOW we are pleased with the decision. Stone fruit and some tropical flavors shine through on this early to release wine.

MUSCAT CANELLI
A winner for most aromatic ferment. When Muscat enters the winery we’re lined up to taste the juice. This year expect a moderately sweet wine with floral aromas.

GEWURZTRAMINER
If there is an award for “best looking” fruit it would go to our estate Gewurztraminer. The golden-rust colored berries are gorgeous, creating a delicious dry white wine. Initial flavors of mandarin, lychee and spice are sure to create another award-winner.

PINOT NOIR
We harvest Pinot Noir from across the Anderson Valley starting at Boonville to the very deep end, with the majority coming from our estate vineyard at Husch. We love the complexity that develops from the range. Punch downs 2-3 times daily kept us all busy! The whole cluster and traditional fermentations will keep this vintage interesting.

ZINFANDEL
Exclusively from our historic Garzini Ranch in the Ukiah Valley, the Zinfandel crop proved to be robust! We brought in a small batch early in harvest for the Blaze Rosé then followed up a few weeks later for our fan favorite Old Vines Zinfandel. Jammy, yet food friendly the 2024 vintage will be one to remember.

PETITE SIRAH & CARIGNANE
Also from our Garzini Ranch, the Petite Sirah and Carignane were picked as sugars topped out at 25.9˚ and 23.1˚ respectively. As the base for our Old Vines Heritage these grapes provide deep color, bright fruit, and remarkable structure for a big, bold wine.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Late to the party was our Cabernet Sauvignon. Up against a mini rain event, and with sugars coming in over 25˚ brix, the pick call came just in time. It’s being a little finicky in the winery, but Brad and Peter are practicing their patience skills.

LATE HARVEST GEWURZTRAMINER
At our traditional “Company Pick,” all Husch employees came out to help with this final harvest. As we practice our picking skills (some better than others) we appreciate the talent and speed of the real grape pickers. Our reward was a lunch accompanied by a selection of old vintage Late Harvest wines - ranging from 1993 to 2023.




 

Women Rule at Husch

With a sustainable vineyard as a backdrop working at Husch comes with subtle perks.

Too often the world of wine can seem like a male dominated profession. But looking around the table at a recent Husch managers meeting we realized that this isn’t the case at Husch.

In a family business gender roles at the company can sometimes be skewed by the family breakdown. Our mom, Beelu, had five brothers and just one sister. Needless to say, Husch in the 1980s and 1990s was a male dominated business as many of those brothers cycled through roles in the winery.

Our mom made her own imprint in some more subtle ways that can still be seen to this day. The Husch logo - that stylized H - was under her direction. Her torn art, representing the Mendocino coastline, adorns the Mojo Red and LA Blanc labels, while her block prints pop up throughout our marketing materials and t-shirts.

Fast forward to 2002 when the 3rd generation of Oswalds (brother-sister duo Zac and Amanda) took the helm at Husch. Scouting new talent for various positions we found ourselves with a dynamic team of women and men. Amanda forged ahead with building a team in Philo as Zac’s wife Krista took on direct wine sales in the local area.

These days both our offices are run by women. In Philo, for over 15 years Metah Green has led our charming Tasting Room and Direct to Consumer sales. Her team in the tasting room includes seven wine educated and talented ladies. A few good men also round out her friendly staff.

At our business office in Ukiah, since 2007 Vicky Giusti has worked her way up from an administrative support position to Office Manager. She is surrounded by two talented women: June who manages our wholesale accounts and Maurica who tackles our compliance and assists with bookkeeping. These three dynamic women keep our business running smoothly.

In the winery you will find Consuelo who hand labels every bottle of “Reserve” Husch wine. Yes, you read that correctly, hand labels! She also helps in the cellar, vineyard and shipping.

Having represented Husch for over 20 years, Chris Baral now serves as our National Sales Manager, keeping our wines stocked on the East Coast.

To be fair we do have an equal amount of men working at Husch who thrive in our family business. We have found that a well rounded team includes both women and men, but we stand by the fact that women rule at Husch. We wouldn't have it any other way.

Beatrix Oswald Robinson: A legacy to remember

Beelu's favorite wine?A tie between the Cuvée Beret and the Grand Oz

In August the Husch Vineyards matriarch, our mother, fondly known as Beelu died. When our family moved to Mendocino County in 1977 she worked under her father HA Oswald Jr and alongside her husband Rich Robinson to build the family business. She led the graphic design team to redesign the Husch wine label as we know it today, a stylized H. Shelf talkers, winemaker notes, and newsletters all fell under her direction. She implemented the Bed and Breakfast program, creating Husch love throughout the Mendocino coast. With an eye for both landscape and graphic design, as well as a gift of editing, she curated the Husch brand during the 1980s. In 1990 she went back to school to earn her RN degree and began her nursing career. However, she remained an active voice, chief newsletter editor and family owner at Husch. Up until 2020 she greeted our Priority Release Program members at our annual Picnic in the Vineyards. Her keen sense of humor, quick wit, opinions, and perceptive judgment touched all who knew her.

Winter Wine Favorites: A few of our top selections

2016 Cuvée Beret Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine
Our first sparkling wine made in the méthode traditionnelle from our estate grown Chardonnay. This brut Blanc de Blanc aged for 7 years in tirage creating a fine, persistent mousse with harmonious balance of freshness and complexity leading to a lingering finish. Notes of lemon soufflé and Asian pear with a touch of toasted brioche on the finish. A “must have” for the holidays. Less than 30 cases remain. $65/bottle

2022 One Barrel Pinot Noir
With only a single barrel (24 cases) made of the One Barrel Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, this vintage speaks volumes to clonal selection and oak impact. The fruit is a Wädenswil clone 2A that comes across as bright and lively. Aged 10 months in a Francois Freres oak barrel with medium toast from the Allier forest. Aromas of cherries and raspberries with hints of clove and black truffle. A seductive wine worth every sip. $50/bottle

2021 Grand OZ
To honor our grandfather, HA Oswald, Jr. we crafted four barrels of this flagship wine. It’s the best of the best. Aged in new French oak barrels for 31 months. Aromas and flavors of dark black currant, ripe blueberries and graphite mingle with black pepper and dried herbs which lead to a long, velvety finish. A great choice for either your cellar or a celebration. Enjoy with filet mignon, aged cheddar cheese or a flourless chocolate torte. $65/bottle

SEASON’S GREETINGS

Enjoy a short overview of our family winery.

Cheers to another year! As we look back and reflect on the growing season and near perfect harvest we are reminded of the joy in our work. We were spared from wildfires, unexpected snow storms and harvest rainfall. Thank you Mother Earth. We survived the laborious task of bottling without equipment failure and rolled through harvest with cool fermentations and gentle pressing. We have much to be thankful for. Most of all, we appreciate our dedicated Husch family who make all this happen. And to our customers, thank you, be sure to keep your stockings stuffed with your favorite Husch wines!

You can also stay in touch with our free newsletter. Expect news and special wine savings with our semi-annual mailing.

Husch Vineyards
Tasting Room: 4400 Hwy 128, Philo, CA 95466
Mail Address: PO Box 189, Talmage, CA 95481
Open Daily 10am to 5pm (closed 12/25/2024)
1-800-554-8724
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