Linden Update | July 11, 2024

Our two favorite under-vine cover crops, rabbit foot clover and black medic, have called it quits.

The Vines are fine.

It is extremely hot and it is dangerously dry, but the vines are fine. Grapevines got their start in the Middle East and Mediterranean. They feel right at home. But I can’t say the same about everything else. Under-row cover crops have wilted, and the grass is brown. Some insect species have all but disappeared and others have surged. The afternoons are eerily quiet as if the deer, rabbits, squirrels, and even birds have gone into hibernation.

I cannot recall the first time I heard reference to global warming, but it had to have been early in my career. At that time it seemed to be too distant for me to take notice. Now I notice. When one has been farming the same land for many decades, observed changes are gradual, random, and inconsistent. When asked about the effects of climate change on our craft, I’ve had trouble articulating just what they are.
Until this year.

Right now I feel disconnected from my environment as I retreat into the sterility of climate control. A farmer hiding from the elements is sacrilegious. We’ve had more than one afternoon where it was necessary for everyone to retreat to the cellar to find busy work even though the vineyard is our main priority.

At least the vines are fine.

New Summer Tasting

We compare and contrast place, weather, and time with our current tasting of crisp whites and refreshing reds. The tasting includes the newly released 2021 Village Chardonnay. This ripe, warm Village Chardonnay is more powerful than previous vintages. In its youth the aromas have a distinct apple skin and orange zest fragrance. The palate shows richness and warmth with a ripe generosity. Open by reservation Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Blind Tasting Seminars

Tasting without knowing what wine is in the glass is referred to as “blind tasting.” At Linden our staff does this regularly to distinguish differences in wine and train our palates. Blind tasting allows the senses to work without the prejudice of expectation. You can concentrate on specific characteristics. And it is fun! With the diversity of vintages, varietals, and terroirs at Linden Vineyards, we have many options for blind tasting our wines.

In a new series of seminars, our tasting room staff is excited to introduce participants to the art of blind tasting and share Linden wines in this new context. The seminars are led by Cindy Chambers, a member of Linden's tasting room staff. She first discovered Linden in the early 1990s when she began her wine education. Over the years, Cindy has expanded her knowledge of wines through courses, seminars, and tastings. She has visited wineries and vineyards throughout the US, Canada, and Europe, and enjoys introducing family and friends to wine from her travels.

Blind Tasting Seminar – Exploring Varietals

Open to anyone interested in learning how to identify grape varietals and their characteristics through the blind tasting process. We will compare white varietals to explore their differences. The fee includes Linden's current tasting, which takes place after this seminar.

Sunday, July 28 at 11:00 am. Parties of 1-2, $40 each.

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