Bud Break kicks off vintage 2024

Bud break is our official start of the growing season. And it is happening right now. We are early by a week. The tender buds are now frost susceptible. This means that any early morning temperature below 29°F will reduce our yields. Meteorology has now regained more significance in our lives.

I do love to chronicle each growing season. When the wine of a given vintage is released, we’ll have an opportunity to look back to read about the details and the personality of the weather that made the wine unique.

As our society has moved from agrarian to urban, I also enjoy connecting the dots of weather impacts and consequences. Many of you have a desire for more depth and understanding than hollow sound bites.

Field Notes will chronicle the events of the growing season along with its potential impact on wine style and quality. 2024 could be the vintage of the century or a climatic disaster or just plain average. The fact that right now we have no idea makes it an adventure.

Jim Law, winegrower

Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Hardscrabble Journal: April 14, 2024