Amista’s Morningsong Vineyard Achieves Organic Certification
Our First Organic Harvest...
…a memorable moment for our 20th anniversary
On the radiant morning of August 16, 2024, the sun shone brightly over our Morningsong Vineyard estate in Healdsburg. The usual morning fog was nowhere to be seen, setting the perfect stage for a momentous occasion. Just after daybreak, we gathered in the vineyard to celebrate the start of the season’s harvest and our first official organic pick.
Our team pictured above: Ashley Herzberg, Winemaker, Vicky Farrow, Proprietor, Paco Mendoza, Vineyard Management, Jackie Cain, Hospitality, Brian Shapiro, Estate Director (not pictured, Maritza Mendoza)
A Milestone Realized
After years of dedication and hard work, our estate Morningsong Vineyard, was proudly certified organic on June 12, 2024. Our winemaker, Ashley, was overjoyed when she received the news. This certification is the continuation of a journey that began years ago when we committed to enhancing the health of our vineyard. We first became certified sustainable in 2018 and then farmed organically for the required three years, ultimately earning the coveted certification from California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Seeing the first “organic” stickers being placed on the bins was a powerful and inspiring moment, marking the reality of this achievement.
Blessing of the Grapes: A Time-Honored Tradition
At Amista, we’ve always honored the first pick of the season with a blessing of the grapes and a toast. Our first pick is traditionally Chardonnay, as it ripens before the other varieties. Since we harvest these grapes early for sparkling wines, they maintain lower sugar and higher acidity, which results in the refreshing crispness and lower alcohol levels characteristic of sparkling wines.
Despite this being our 22nd harvest, the excitement never fades. Harvest time is the culmination of a year’s worth of effort—pruning vines, managing cover crops, training the vines, thinning the fruit, and navigating unpredictable weather. When the grapes are finally ready, there’s a mix of relief and anticipation. The first pick is always a cause for celebration. We honor the cycle of nature by opening a bottle from a previous vintage, pouring some over a bin of freshly picked grapes, and raising a toast to the start of another harvest season.
A Sabrage to Celebrate Organic Certification and 20 Years of Amista
This year, we added a special touch to our celebration. To mark our first harvest as a certified organic vineyard and to celebrate Amista Vineyards’ 20th anniversary, Ashley performed a sabrage with a bottle of Amistara, our sparkling Blanc de Blanc with a unique dosage created specifically for this milestone. The dramatic ceremony of sabrage—sliding a saber along the seam of the bottle to break the neck and send the cork flying—was the perfect way to honor this incredible achievement and the exciting harvest season ahead.
Cheers to All the Friends of Amista Who Have Supported our Journey!
All images courtesy of the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley. A special thank you to Amanda Brower for joining and capturing our celebration!
Still Thirsty?
If you want to learn more, here is a curated list of resources.
About California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)
CCOF Directory - Amista's Morningsong Vineyard
Harvest 101: The Basics of Crush
How to Saber a Bottle of Champagne