French Valley Vineyard 2023 Ice Wine Harvest

Today was the very first official ice wine harvest for French Valley Vineyard. Teams from both French Valley Vineyard, our sister winery Bel Lago Winery and a handful of French Valley Wine Club volunteers arrived this morning when temps were in the low teens, ready to go! Dressed warmly and outfitted with lugs and clippers we made our way down the snowy, netted vines to clip the frozen clusters of Riesling grapes still attached or collect those that had fallen into the netting basket Tomas and his team hand-sewed last fall. Though the grapes were covered by netting to deter animals, the birds and deer still found a way to eat a good portion of the grapes growing on the outer rows. After a few icy hours, the team was able to harvest nearly 1,400lbs of frozen fruit.

What is Ice Wine?

Ice wine is a unique and exclusive type of wine that is made from grapes that have been frozen on the vine. The process of freezing the grapes concentrates the natural sugars and flavors, resulting in a sweet and complex wine that is highly sought after. Ice wine is typically picked at temperatures of -8°C (17.6°F) or lower. When the grapes are pressed, only a small amount of concentrated juice is extracted, which is then fermented to make ice wine. The same 1,400lb of grapes we harvested today would have totaled over 2,000lb if picked during our usual harvest season in the fall. The low juice to skins ratio, weather variability and more challenging picking conditions all contribute to the higher cost associated with ice wine production.

What does Ice Wine pair with?

Ice wine is very sweet, medium to full in body and higher in acidity and percentage ABV. Traditionally served alongside the dessert course, it compliments beautifully fruit-forward desserts, cheesecake, ice cream, soft cheeses such as Brie, Camembert or Reblochon or strong cheese such as Stilton or Gorgonzola. In more recent years, Ice Wine has found popularity paired with bolder, savory flavor profiles such as spicy dishes, seafood and foie gras. As with any wine, don’t be afraid to experiment with different pairings. You never know what you might discover!