As the leaves start to turn across the Leelanau Peninsula, excitement is building at Blustone Vineyards—because harvest is almost here. We anticipate beginning our 2025 harvest around October 1st, and once the first clusters are picked, it’ll be all hands on deck to move quickly through the vineyard.
“Once harvest begins in a cool-climate region like Leelanau, we don’t have the luxury of spreading things out,” says Vineyard Manager John Molenhouse. “Our crews will be working around the clock to get fruit off the vines and into the cellar while it’s at peak ripeness.”
Timing is Everything in Cool-Climate Winemaking
For most varietals, we’ll pick promptly to protect the delicate balance between sugar and acid. That’s the hallmark of cool-climate wines—crisp, aromatic, and vibrant—but only if grapes are harvested at the right moment. Too long on the vine, and rain-soaked berries risk waterlogging or disease. Too soon, and the wines lose their expressive character.
Some grapes, like Merlot and certain Rieslings, may benefit from a little extra hang time to deepen their flavors. But for everything else, it’s a race against the clock.
“Right now, the nights aren’t dropping below 55 degrees,” Molenhouse explains. “That means the grapes are burning through acid even while we sleep. We’ve got to nail the pick window to balance that natural acidity with the sugars building during the day.”
Preparing the Vineyard
In the final stretch before harvest, our vineyard crews are pulling leaves around the clusters. This isn’t just about capturing late-season sunshine—it’s critical to keep airflow moving around the fruit.
“With all the rain we’ve had this year, our biggest concern is moisture in the grape clusters,” Molenhouse says. “By pulling leaves, we help dry out the clusters so the fruit stays clean and healthy right up until harvest.”
Warm days are driving ripening, even through cloudy skies, and our vineyard team is working tirelessly to make sure each block is in peak condition. If you are able to visit the tasting room in the coming weeks, expect to see lots of fruit easily visible, hanging on the vines!
A Toast to Our Incredible Vineyard Team
The unsung heroes of every vintage are our vineyard workers, who rise early, work late, and move with precision to ensure every grape reaches its full potential. Harvest is grueling—long hours, unpredictable weather, heavy lifting—but it’s their dedication that makes Blustone wines possible.
From pulling leaves in the September rain to hand-harvesting fruit in the crisp October mornings, their commitment is what allows us to share world-class wines from the heart of Leelanau with you.
Visit the Tasting Room During Harvest
There’s no better time to visit our tasting room than during harvest. Guests often catch glimpses of the action—bins of freshly picked grapes arriving, the energy of our vineyard team at work, and the changing colors of the hillsides all around.
Come savor the story in every glass and see firsthand why harvest is the most exciting time of year at Blustone. Plan your next visit and reserve your tasting today!
