This 2001 vintage of Echelon Merlot is a blend of our best grapes from the benches and canyons that border the Salinas Valley. These wind-sheltered areas benefit from welldrained, alluvial soils and long hours of sunlight with warm days and cool nighttime temperatures. All of these conditions are optimal for high quality fruit. Vine canopy management such as vertical shoot positioning, leaf pulling, cluster thinning and deficit irrigation are used to enhance the excellent growing conditions. Working closely with each vineyard manager insures special care is given to our fruit. We pick only when we achieve full flavor and color in the grapes. Our philosophy is that the wine is grown in the vineyard, not made in the winery. The 2001 vintage began with a warm spring and very hot weather during bloom. The high temperatures caused shatter in the young clusters, resulting in looser bunches and lighter tonnage than expected. The summer was moderately cool until August and September when temperatures spiked and the grapes ripened in a short period. The quality was excellent, partly due to the natural reduction performed by Mother Nature in the spring.