Published September 18, 2025
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Harvest season began last week here at Winter’s Hill Estate. We have been busy picking and pressing Pinot noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot gris, and the winery smells delicious as the first tanks begin to ferment.
This year, in addition to our sparkling and still wines, we have added something new to our early harvest activities. Working with the lightly pressed fruit from our sparkling wine program, we have been crafting our first Piquette.
Piquette is a very old tradition from the winegrowing regions of France, but it is not well known in the United States. A low alcohol, refreshing drink, Piquette was created to quench the winery employees’ thirst without impairing their ability to keep working. Similar to “session beer” Piquette is something you can enjoy on a warm day or anytime you want something lighter.
Chris and I are enjoying the process of learning and experimenting with a different style of wine, and we look forward to sharing it with you. We expect it to be ready early next spring as the weather warms up. Ask for a taste next time you visit the winery!
