Unsettled Spring

Atypical is typical. Temperature swings of 50°F and drought to flash floods within a time span of a week is normal. This weather may inconvenience wardrobe selection, but winegrowers are much more focused on how the vines react. So far, they are taking things in stride. 

Early budding varieties (Chardonnay and Merlot) have a fluorescent flush of healthy green growth. The reliable laggard is Cabernet Sauvignon. This year Cab is especially late as it was not ready to take advantage of the mid-April heat. On average Cabernet Sauvignon buds out ten days after Chardonnay. This year Chardonnay budded out fast and furious during a heat wave. Cabernet is more like a teenager who prefers to sleep in. Cab missed the heat and is now struggling to open up under unseasonably cool conditions.

All this is quite interesting, at least to us, but it has no impact on final yields or quality on the vintage. Each variety eventually finds its own balance with time.

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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Journal/Field Notes: April 29, 2023