BudBreak Our Los Carneros Ranch and Contra Costa County vineyards are beginning to emerge from their long winter nap. Known as budbreak or budburst, this is the annual stage in which small shoots emerge from vine buds in the spring thus beginning the vine-growing season. One of the major concerns during budbreak is spring frost. The spring frost can destroy these young and delicate buds causing more buds to burst. It is the first buds that are the most fruitful so avoiding spring frost is crucial. However, not all vineyards are susceptible to frost; it depends on the location of the vineyard and the grape variety. There are methods that help reduce some of the risk of frost, late pruning being one, this method delays budbreak. Even high trellis systems located on flat land reduces some risk since the main vine grows above the coldest air layer. Wind machines are also used, they are strong fans that mix up the cold air with the warmer air from above, preventing frost on cold Spring nights. Recently in the Sonoma Valley the nighttime temperatures are dipping low causing growers to activate their wind machines. Despite the cold spell, the 2001 growing season has been relatively dry with an unseasonably warm March. The average rainfall for the Los Carneros Ranch (Southern Sonoma County) is approximately 30"; to date there has been only 16.73" and even less rain at the Contra Costa County vineyards. Too early to predict the final outcome but if the weather stays dry and warm we can expect an early 2001 harvest! Save the Date! April in Carneros When: April 21st & 22nd Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Cline Cellars (24737 Hwy 121, Sonoma) and 15 other participating Los Carneros wineries in both Sonoma & Napa valleys. Hospitality de los Carneros is hosting it's annual Spring open-house in Carneros. For just $10 you get a logo glass to access special wine & food tastings at 16 wineries all with their own brand of fun planned for the weekend. Proceeds from the glasses will go to a local charity. Don't forget to visit Cline Cellars for great wine, food, music and plenty of fun on this festive spring open-house weekend. For more information, including a listing of participating wineries visit carneroswineries.org While visiting the winery enjoy sampling our award-winning wines. Come visit CLINE CELLARS' beautiful winery, located in the Carneros District in Sonoma Valley.Tours everyday at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m..Call our Tasting Room for a reservation 800/546-2070 or 707/935-4310.Cline Cellars 24737 Hwy. 121, Sonoma, CA Visit Cline Cellars' Distributors Websites Bacchus Importers Ltd. - Maryland and Washington D.C. Martin Scott - New York City Distributor Southern Wines & Spirits - California Vinsouth - Atlanta, Florida, Texas WineAccess The Wine Treasury - United Kingdom Wordens Market and Deli in Missoula, MT Margot-Schmitt - Germany Distributor

WineEvents One laid-back setting * Three beautiful days * 200 of the world's best wineries * Four educational seminars * Three sumptuous meals * A slew of barrels to bid on * 23 grape varieties * one bowling alley * two mind-blowing tastings… NOT ONE GOOD EXCUSE TO MISS IT! The Ninth Annual International Celebration of Rhône Wines May 31 - June 2, 2001 California Mid-State Fairgrounds Paso Robles, California For more information and a registration brochure hospicedurhone.com or 805.784.9543 SPRING TOUR 2001 Over 60 ZAP member wineries participating (of course, Cline Cellars will be there) in Austin, Scottsdale and Las Vegas April 23rd - The Driskill; 604 Brazos, Austin, Texas from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. *** April 25th - Scottsdale Culinary Institute; 8100 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, Arizona from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. *** April 26th - Caesar's Palace; 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. So, Las Vegas, Nevada from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 for ZAP members: $45 for public. Reservations call the ZAP office 530.274.4900 QuestionoftheMonth? How long should I keep wine after it is opened? It all depends on the kind of wine. Overall, white wine will keep fine in the refrigerator for a couple of days and many reds will keep on the counter for three to four days. Keep in mind when storing wine on the kitchen counter that it is not exposed to heat otherwise it will spoil. I recommend you might want to invest in a wine pump device which helps keep the wine fresh. The pump comes with a rubber cork and you pump the air out of the bottle. The process is very simple and inexpensive and can be found in most wine shops. Wine Question? E-mail epcline@sonic.net For Cline Cellars wine reviews visit our Current Accolades page. Check-out The Wine Skinny and ijamming websites for their reviews on Cline Cellar wines.

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