Cool
Cooler than average temperatures have slowed vine development. Shoot growth is not quite as exuberant as is typical for this time of year. This is actually a relief as keeping up with shoot positioning and tying can be challenging.
Read MoreNot Quite Right
The vines are off and running. In April new growth comes from last season’s stored carbohydrates. But by late May the roots have taken over as the engine fueling exuberant shoot growth. In early May we observed some unusual developments as shoots began to form. Many buds did not push. Some shoots seemed stunted. This delayed development has been especially evident in Merlot, Petit Manseng and Sauvignon Blanc.
Read MorePre-season Prep
The warm weather has pushed the vines to bud break. All varieties are out except Cabernet Sauvignon which is always last to wake up (and last to ripen). The young Cabernet vines now have green leaves showing, but the older vines are still a few days behind (this is normal).
Read MoreVines off and running
Official Chardonnay bud break occurred on Saturday April 19. This is recorded when 50% of the buds open up to reveal the first green leaf. After all our wild temperature fluctuations over the last few weeks, this budding date is average. With the warm weather predicted for the coming week, all the other grape varieties should follow suit quickly.
Read MoreTariff Uncertainty and Linden Vineyards
Linden’s wines come form our own grapes and our own labor. But we have three significant costs of production that are affected by tariffs. We just don’t know what the final invoices will look like.
Read MoreWednesday Frost Update
This morning at 2:00 am the temperature had already fallen to 28°F at my house, which is about halfway up the Hardscrabble slope. 28°F is the tipping point for frost damage. With still 5 hours of potentially falling temperatures, it looked like our Chardonnay buds would be toast. However the temperature only fell one additional degree to 27°F thanks to calming winds, which allowed for a favorable temperature inversion.
Read MoreFrost Predicted
Last week’s warm spell stimulated some bud break in Chardonnay. Around 10% to 20% of the buds are now showing green leaves. They are now vulnerable to frost damage. Frost is predicted for the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday morning.
Read More02CS
Pruning is in full swing. For the next month we will quietly be working the vines. The only sounds we generate are the snip of pruning shears and the reverberations of canes being pulled from trellis wires. This calm lets us witness winter ceding to spring.
Read MoreSpring Awakening
Pruning is in full swing. For the next month we will quietly be working the vines. The only sounds we generate are the snip of pruning shears and the reverberations of canes being pulled from trellis wires. This calm lets us witness winter ceding to spring.
Read MoreSpring Awakening
Pruning is in full swing. For the next month we will quietly be working the vines. The only sounds we generate are the snip of pruning shears and the reverberations of canes being pulled from trellis wires. This calm lets us witness winter ceding to spring.
Read MoreHardscrabble
Hardscrabble is the name of the vineyards that surround Linden’s winery. Hardscrabble is a regional name for this area. There is a road, a ridge and an abandoned cemetery that go by the name. We simply adapted it.
Read MoreHow Cold is Too Cold?
A quick history of vine winter damage in Virginia.
How Cold is Too Cold to Ship Wine?
Read MorePruning Strategies
Snow cover and bright blue skies have made a wonderful start to the beginning of pruning season. Just like the good old days when we had real winters.
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