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Doom and Gloom Hits California Wine Country!! The prognosticators of wine quality downgrade the 1998 vintage prior to the start of harvest. Most media write off the 1998 grape harvest even before one grape is picked. There is no question that the 1998 grape harvest is going to be late! However, the hot weather during July and August promise that the maturation process will happen. The experts at Cline Cellars in Sonoma, California, (at least at the time of this article) predict a September 10-14th start date. 100 year-old Zinfandel vine. Photo taken during the 1997 Harvest Winemaker Matt Cline reports (after a visit to his old-vine Contra Costa Vineyards) that the Mourvedre crop will be significantly down this harvest while the Zinfandel crop is normal. There will be a slight decrease in the Carignane crop. Many of the grape cluster have "shot berries" which equates to a lighter clusters. "Even though we are going to experience "shot berries" with many of our vineyards, it does not mean we cannot have a great vintage. The best advice I have it to just wait and see what mother nature brings us". Other Winery News Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is echoing through the winery. Cline Cellars is bottling the 1997 Cotes D' Oakley Vin Rouge. A blend of the Southern Rhone cepages Mourvedre (for fine tannins and spicy dark fruit), Carignane (for freshness and acidity), Syrah (for intensity of berry fruit and structure), Grenache (for fresh strawberry), Cinsault (for a classic earthiness and chocolate tinged fruit and Alicante Bouchet (for depth of color), this Vin Rouge is a light structured wine with rich fruit flavors. Look for the 1997 Cotes D' Oakley - Vin Rouge this fall.

8th Annual ZAP Zinfandel Festival Fans of "American's Heritage Grape" ZAP proudly unveils the 1999 ZAP Zinfandel Festival, January 28, 29, 30, 1999 encompassing three events; Thursday, January 28--Good Eats & Zinfandel Pairing, a food and Zinfandel matching extravaganza; Friday, January 29--2nd Annual Blue Jeans to Black Tie Auction & Dinner, a spirited evening of highjinks and great wines; and Saturday 30--8th Annual Zinfandel Tasting, America's National Treasure. Thursday, January 28--Good Eats & Zinfandel Pairing $65 non-member price, $55 ZAP member price. Friday, January 29--2nd Annual Blue Jeans to Black Tie Auction & Dinner $125 non-member price, $110 ZAP member price or become a Very Important Bidder (VIB) for VIP seating at the auction-- table of 8 $1,500call the ZAP office for your table 530 432-8964. Saturday 30--8th Annual Zinfandel Tasting $35 non-member price, $25 ZAP member price. Public Tickets Sales Begin October 1, 1998 through Happy Tours 800 877-5262 Other Dates to Save! June 17-19, 1999 for the 7th Annual "Raisin' Rhones" a celebration of fine wine, food and entertainment. For more information contactMr. Viognier . Saddle up...And Lasso These Cline Cellar Events Winemaker's Dinner at Cline Cellars - August 21st Ox Roast September 19th 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Holiday in Carneros....a celebration of 14 Carneros wineries....complimentary tastings, food and entertainment. Saturday & Sunday November 21st & November 22nd For more information call our Special Events Department at 1 800 546-2070.

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