2018 was another dry but not particularly warm winter; this changed in early February. A high-pressure system brought daytime temperatures into the 70’s, warming the soil and initiating bud break at some vineyard sites. In March, a cold front settled in and brought nighttime temperatures down to freezing, risking frost damage to the new shoot growth. These ‘false’ springs have become much more common in recent years. Summer was mild, leading to a marginally later harvest. The concentrated wines are poised and complex with depth and structure.

The Scheid Viento Vineyard is situated on a gradual east-facing slope on the western side of the Salinas Valley at the foot of the Santa Lucia Mountain range. The soil is composed of well-draining, calcareous shale. The climate is cool and windy. Since our first vintage in 1984, we have been consistently impressed with the quality of Gewürztraminer we source from Monterey County.