The growing season started with a fairly normal winter with slightly less than average precipitation amounts. In May, at the beginning of berry set, a storm brought over five inches of rain. This unusually colder and wetter weather, however, provided a natural irrigation for the vines that would help carry them through the warm summer months. Good canopy management and fruit thinning allowed for optimal coloring and ripening. Moderate temperatures at harvest time provided extra hang-time and selective picking of the fruit to ensure concentrated flavors.