The 2008 growing season is off to a good start. We have budbreak slightly earlier than 2007. So far, plentiful rains, and mild winter temperatures should promise good bud fruitfulness and healthy shoot growth, ultimately resulting in a top-quality crop.


Bud Break: March 14, 2008
Bud break occurred approximately 5 days earlier than 2007.



Tying the Vines: March 20, 2008
Cordon arms are tied to the wire trellis system to give the vine a structure to carry the weight of the canopy and fruit.




Suckering the Vines: TBA
Poorly positioned or weak shoots are stripped from the vine. This will leave only healthy, fruitful shoots to grow.




Bloom and Set: TBA
Bloom occurred 2-3 weeks earlier than in 2006. In this picture, you will see the blossoms on the clusters, while other clusters have “set” the fruit.




Tucking the Vines TBA
In the foreground of this picture, you will see that the shoots have been "tucked" behind the "catch" wire of the trellis system.
In the background, this task has not been done. Leaving the "canes" without support from the trellis can have several adverse affects such as;
the canes breaking off, limited fruit exposure and inability to work effectively in the vine row.

Leaf Removal: TBA
Leaves are removed to expose the clusters to light and air movement.  The light on the berries enhance both color and flavor.
The air movement aids in reducing the conditions for disease development and improves spray coverage.

Fruit Dropped: TBA
Slow ripening fruit is dropped at or after veraison to assure optimum fruit quality is delivered to the wineries.

Last Day of Harvest: TBA

The late rains of the 2007 harvest gave us some opportunites to develop some botrytis in our Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer varieties.