Spring in the vineyard is a wonderful time! The vines are all awake and pushing shoots rapidly. Grapevines are a lesson in delayed gratification – the quantity and quality of this year’s shoots and fruit were determined by how well we cared for the vines last season. If we provided adequate water, food, disease prevention, and sunlight (shoot thinning, shoot tying, prevent excessive shoot growth) including during the post-harvest months, then we will be rewarded this season with healthy and bountiful vines.
We’re happy to report that things are looking good for 2018! We had some very cold winter days while the vines were dormant which will hopefully reduce some of the pest populations and also meant the vines did not wake up too early. The vines began bud break in mid March. We had a close call on April 7 when our weather station recorded 33.2° F at 11.00 am but fortunately the temp did not get lower and we have seen no evidence of damage. So begins another season of trying to keep ahead of the vines (aka ‘whack-a-mole’).
