Journal | May 2, 2020

Hardscrabble Journal

Avenius Chardonnay – The Vineyard | Part 2

Chardonnay was planted in 1996 in two separate blocks totaling one acre. As was common twenty-five years ago, the training system is French Lyre. Lyre training divides the vine’s growth or canopy into two separate panels about four feet apart. This allows for better sun reception and air circulation. Often, as vines age they are no longer able to fill the space allotted to them with this system. However, in the case of Avenius, the stronger soils, vigorous rootstock (SO4), and judicious use of manure have kept good balance in the vines.

The vines started their lives with cordon/spur pruning, but were eventually converted to cane pruning after Shari Avenius committed to several years of experimentation and trials. There is now much more consistency in yields and quality. 

In the early years, vines on the steeper, thinner soils ripened early and were picked early. Now that the vines have more age, ripening is more synchronistic and all the Chardonnay is harvested on the same day. 

When the correct soils and site are matched with the right variety, the vines are naturally balanced. This is the key to great wine. The grower learns to respect this balance and only changes management in reaction to weather variabilities during the growing season.

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Hardscrabble JournalJim LawVineyard Isolation, Avenius Chardonnay, 2020