One of the coldest winters in the last 50 years in Chile with snow reported in all the Pre Andean inland regions with low rainfall. Bud break was two weeks later than normal throughout Chile, but flowering was normal meaning that it was a real challenge to complete vineyard shoot thinning in time. The growing season has been above average in temperature and no rain since September. The whites are 1 to 2 weeks later than normal for harvesting including the Sparkling bases. Harvest started on the 12 of February for the sparkling wines for Tarapaca and Viña Mar in the Maipo Valley we doubling production do to demand and are looking to pick with lower sugars this year to maintain fresh fruit flavors and lower alcohol levels. The harvest has continued with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay in the Maipo for still wines and Casablanca harvest for bubbly started on the 27th of Feburary with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Quality for the whites looks very good with lower sugars than 2007 and son far little botrytis problems. Yields are slightly down and it is projected that Chile will have moderate yields in 2008 for whites and reds. Tarapaca has increased the amount of Leyda Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc to showcase for our Terroir line of wines and blending components to increase complexity for our Maipo Reserve wines. We spent most the winter driving all over the Maipo Valley to source reserve level Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Carmenere to complement our Isla Maipo fruit well as Cabernet Sauvingon and Merlot in Cachapoal and some hillside Syrah and Carmenere in Colchagua. Some interesting lots will be coming from the Longovilo region as well as Huelquen and Buin regions of Maipo. We also found some old vine Carignan and Carmenere for Viña Mar in Cauquenes and coastal Merlot in northern Maule region. We are also increasing our harvest of Organic Certified grapes to 300 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon, Caberent Franc, Syrah and Carmenere for Natura Plus in 2008. To receive all this new fruit Casa Riva Winery will receive its biggest vintage ever and we also increased reception and cooling capacity at Tarapaca. Long term weather projections have stable climate in Chile so all looks good for now.