Journal | June 9, 2024
Post-bloom
Every week through mid-August I will post an incredibly boring or most enlightening missive on the development of one Cabernet Sauvignon grape cluster. It depends on your level of interest. Mine is quite high which is why I’m doing this.
This photo was taken on Sunday, June 9. At this stage some remnants of flower parts can still be seen (the small white “sticks” which are the stamen), but we are now considered “post-bloom”. You can see lots of tiny berries beginning to form. Many of these will fall off the cluster over the next week or two. This is normal as typically only about 30% of the flowers are successfully fertilized and become grapes.
In the weeks to come, dry weather would be ideal for two reasons:
At this stage the berries are highly susceptible to black rot and mildews which can quickly develop in wet environments.
Dry soils will put some hydric (water) stress on the vines which in turn will keep the berries small. Small berries give a higher ratio of skins to juice making for more concentrated wines.
Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Hardscrabble Journal: June 9, 2024