This week’s update was written and prepared before the wildfires began on the morning of September 27. While this is an ongoing, rapidly changing event, B Cellars is currently not under threat from the fires.
Our thoughts and prayers are with our friends, loved ones, neighbors, and colleagues who have been affected. Our sincerest gratitude goes out to the first responders battling to save our communities.
Yeast
With half of our fruit already fermenting, the smell of yeast permeates the winery and the caves. Our output of thousands of bottles is the work of billions and billions of these little creatures. In fact, next to the grapes, yeast are the single most important ingredient to making wine. Yeast choices affect the flavor, aroma, texture, and body of the wine. During fermentations, we coddle them by cooling or warming tanks to match their preferred temperature, and winemakers constantly experiment with new and different strains while also relying heavily on their old favorites to get the job done.
Eventually, the success of a yeast colony becomes its own demise. Yeast are intolerant of high heat and elevated alcohol solutions, yet they produce both through their fermenting abilities. And, once the wine goes dry and there are no sugars left, the yeast lose their primary food source, causing them to die off, producing what we call the lees.

Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is located in St. Helena.
It is approximately 6 miles north west of B Cellars.
B Cellars sources Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard.
2017 Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – SOLD OUT
Date Harvested: September 21, 2020
Tons Picked: TBD
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is located in Oakville, north of Oakville Grade and west of Highway 29.
It is approximately 2 miles due west of B Cellars.
We source Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard.
Date Harvested: September 24, 2020
Tons Picked: TBD
Beckstoffer Bourn Vineyard
Beckstoffer Bourn Vineyard is located in St. Helena, west of Highway 29.
It is approximately 5.5 miles north west of B Cellars, as the crow flies.
B Cellars sources Cabernet Sauvignon from Bourn Vineyard.
Date Harvested: September 21 & September 24, 2020
Tons Picked: TBD
Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard
Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard is located just north of the town of Yountville, at the base of the Mayacamas mountain range.
It is approximately 2.75 miles south west of B Cellars, as the crow flies.
B Cellars sources Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Oso Vineyard
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon
Date Harvested: September 23, 2020
Tons Picked: TBD
Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard
Beckstoffer George III Vineyard is located in Rutherford, on the eastern side of the valley floor. It is also home to Beckstoffer Vineyards operations.
It is approximately 1.5 miles north of B Cellars.
B Cellars sources Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard.
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Date Harvested: September 24, 2020
Tons Picked: TBD
Kick Ranch
Kick Ranch is located in Sonoma County near the town of Santa Rosa.
It is approximately 16 miles northwest of B Cellars, as the crow flies.
B Cellars sources Syrah and Grenache from Kick Ranch.
2019 Kick Ranch Grenache – coming 2021!
Varietal: Grenache
Date Harvested: September 24, 2020
Tons Picked: TBD
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