SALINAS, California – August 16, 2022 – Scheid Family Wines is excited to announce the start of its 2022 wine grape harvest with the picking of Isabelle’s Vineyard located along Monterey County’s River Road Wine Trail. The 2022 harvest is another milestone in Scheid Family Wines’ 50th anniversary year.
The 2022 harvest kicked off early Tuesday morning, August 16th, at sunrise in the Salinas Valley. Located in the Monterey AVA, Isabelle’s Vineyard is named after founder Al Scheid’s mother and is one of the most northerly vineyards in the county. The hand-harvested premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes are grown specifically for the sparkling wine program of the company’s namesake brand, Scheid Vineyards, for its Isabelle Sparkling Cuvée.
“The first pick is always an important celebration for all of us at Scheid Family Wines, when we welcome the beginning of another exciting vintage. It is even more meaningful this year as we celebrate our 50th anniversary of wine grape farming in Monterey County,” commented Al Scheid, Scheid Family Wines’ founder and Chairman of the Board. “It’s hard for me to believe that it has been 50 years since we first planted vines here, well before the Monterey AVA was established. We’ve come a long way through the hard work and dedication of our talented team of employees.”
“This year’s sparkling wine harvest is about seven days earlier than last year, with the Pinot Noir coming in around 18.5 °brix, an optimum sugar level for our Isabelle Sparkling Cuvée. I’m especially positive about the fruit quality that we’re expecting this year across the Monterey AVA,” said Craig Winn, Director of Viticulture and Technology at Scheid Family Wines. Winn continued, “While 2022 had its challenges due to fluctuating temperatures and long heat spells, we put considerable effort into our sustainable irrigation practices. We practice precision agriculture, which is 100 percent need-based for each vine. The use of sensors, computer analysis, and our own in-vineyard observation allows us to closely monitor soil health and water use, while conducting plant tissue analysis for vine health and fruit quality. Our vineyards are looking extremely healthy this year. With our focus on sustainability, cheers to another 50 years!”
About Scheid Family Wines
Scheid Family Wines is a family-owned and operated wine company founded in 1972. Based in Monterey County, California, Scheid is uniquely integrated to bring high-quality wines to the marketplace from its sustainably certified vineyards and innovative luxury-level winery. Scheid’s winery and bottling operations are powered by 100% renewable wind energy generated by a 400-foot tall wind turbine, which also supplies energy to many homes in the local community. The Scheid Family Wines globally distributed portfolio includes its namesake brand Scheid Vineyards, Sunny with a Chance of Flowers, District 7, Ryder Estate, Metz Road, VDR (Very Dark Red), Stokes’ Ghost, Grandeur, and HOXIE, an artisanal dry wine spritzer. Scheid Family Wines also produces many regionally distributed brands and distributes a portfolio of imported wines through its partnership with PH Imports.
