It was a crisp October morning in the Napa Valley. The sun rose slowly above the horizon, and the sound of songbirds filled the air. Also in motion were Dick and Ann Grace, who were joined by their children, grandchildren and some 100 friends for the 28th harvest at Grace Family Vineyards. Thanks to a long, sunny growing season that extended to mid-October, the vines produced a healthy, ripe crop that should make the 2005 vintage a memorable one in the bottle for many years to come.

Dick’s son, Kirk, is a seasoned viticulturist who manages the vineyard using time-honored organic and biodynamic growing techniques. As a result, the grape clusters were gently hand picked in pristine condition, destemmed on the crush pad, and sent directly to the fermentation tanks that neatly line the interior of the small, gem-like Grace Family winery, nestled at the edge of the vineyard.

Winemaker Gary Brookman, now in his fifth vintage at Grace, feels he has come to understand the terroir in a way that can only come with time. “I’ve never seen the grapes come in this ripe and clean,” he said.