The freezing weather during the 2nd week in October brought harvest to an abrupt end with many wineries frantically harvesting the balance of their grapes.  It has been a topsy turvy growing season.  The record high temperatures during the summer were of benefit to some vineyards that have had problems in achieving full ripening.  Others struggled with sunburned grapes.  This happened especially with rows that run north to south and have a vertical shoot canopy whereby the vine shoots are raised upward and the grape clusters dangle below with little or no leaf cover.  The western side of the canopy would get toasted by the afternoon sun.  Post-harvest, wineries will be bringing me samples to test for pH, acidity, sulfur content, alcohol, residual sugar, volatile acidity (degree of spoilage), and malic acid levels.