1.   Cool weather in Monterey County means grapes are ripening slowly, allowing winemakers to be selective, picking one block at a time.

2.   Many grapes ripened at once, putting out the call for all hands on the crushing deck.

3.   Minzenmayer can talk about corkscrews until the grapes ripen on the vine.

4.   The cool summer caused grapes to ripen slowly, but a warm October helped kick the harvest into high gear.

5.   The grapes did not ripen, the leaves turned brown and after a few years the vines died.

6.   The longer time spent on the vine allowed the grapes to ripen more slowly, naturally developing flavor and complexity.

7.   Grapes are ripening ahead of schedule in many regions, thanks to particularly good summer weather, the statement said.