Hillside Babies
We had a few planting projects this year, including replanting this hillside vineyard. Nothing like seeing new growth and potential in the vineyard.
Good Views Don’t Get Old
Good views in the vineyard don’t get old. Neither does a well-tended hillside.
Pruning Shears
A good pair of scissors in the vineyard is a must. Here the guys hung there’s up on a break from pruning the vineyard this winter.
Pruning Pro
It’s always fun to watch a master at work. This is Francisco pruning a vineyard this winter. Cheers!
Click the link below to view:
Snow flakes!
This is rare in our part of the world. To actual experience snow flakes falling. Francisco was up in a mountainside vineyard at just the right time.
Click on the link to enjoy the view!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYCMiK-pRx7/
Snow on the Mountains
We had some white-capped mountains in view this winter. The past few years has only given us a few frosty nights, but winter was back this year, and welcomed.
Retaining Wall
We had a big project this winter repairing and replacing retaining walls in the vineyard. Winter is a chance to update infrastructure in the vineyard.
Vineyard view
Sometimes, you just get that chance for a great view from the top. Francisco was working on the roof of a winery one day, and took this photo. Wine country looking good.
Keeping It Clean
It’s hard work, but also satisfying working. Tending the the vines, and keeping the vineyard clean. When the vineyard looks this good, there’s no doubt that it’s been well taken care of.
Field Views
We talk about the vineyard as the field. We’re farming. We’re farming grapes. Some of the vineyards we tend have other fields around them. It’s good to be in the field.
Good Vineyard Views
There’s no argument that the light at sun rise and magical. Match that with work in a vineyard, tucked between mountains, and well… good view. Cheers!
Mustard Flowers
The yellow mustard flowers that come up after a good dose of winter rains have out done themselves, and I know I’m grateful. This year can really use the bright spot, and in the bright yellow waves that’s literally what they are around wine country right now. Great time to just take a drive and enjoy. Here are a few photos:
Erosion Control
In the vineyard - On a steep hillside vineyard we brought straw before the recent rain storms. Photos from our work below. May it rain again soon!
Pruning Season
Some of the most important winter work is pruning - setting the next vintage up for success with expert cuts to the canes priming the plant for growth and grapes. Out with the old cut canes. For some of our clients, we also paint/seal the cut ends especially during this rainy season.
Signs of fall
With the grapes in, and mostly cut from the vines, we’ve started seeing signs of fall in and around the vineyard. The leaves are turning yellow to red to brown and falling to the ground. The nights and subsequent mornings are crisp and cold instead of just cool and foggy.
In the Vineyard - Pruning
This post was originally published 01.31.2015
Winter, when the plants are dormant, is the time to prune the vines and focus growth for the coming vintage. We generally prune vineyards in January and February. This week we're in the Russian River Valley working with Pinot Noir.
Nets
Note - this post was originally published 8.07.2014
The grapes have undergone veraison – the onset of ripening when the color of the berries (grapes) change color. Until now both the red and white varieties have been green. Literally.
In some of the vineyards we take care of, we’ve had to net the vines against local birds who have also noticed the ripening fruit.
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Note - this post was originally published 06.29.2014
Grapes! Our pruning efforts paid off. Here are some Russian River Pinot Noir grapes growing, growing, growing.
