Linden Update | April 2019

Terroir Project

Three years ago I started writing about the decision to remove and replant the vines growing on one of Hardscrabble’s best vineyard sites. It is a great site for Cabernet, but the plantings from the 1980s and 90s did not reflect this potential. In 2016 we removed the old vines and trellising. In 2017 manure and lime were spread and the new trellis rows were established. In 2018 the vines were planted.
 
Over the winter those vines were pruned back to little sticks that were tied to bamboo supports. Each stick will become the vine’s permanent trunk. Later this spring, new shoots will emerge and within a few months this planting will look like a real vineyard. Except there will be no grapes. By hand, we will remove each vine’s clusters. It is too early to allow them to yield. They need to put all their energy into developing strong roots and shoots. Next year maybe.

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This dormant Cabernet vine is contrasted by a ground cover of purple deadnettle.

Jim Law