Latest at Linden

Bloom Update

Weather conditions for bloom have been variable. Last week when Chardonnay was in full bloom we experienced rain, fog, cool nights and some occasional sun. This may prove to be problematic. 

On the bright side, this week and next look close to ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, the last variety to bloom.

Soggy May, But Vines OK

A damp May happens from time to time. The last one like this was 2018. While we have lost some work time in the vines (although rain gear is now always close at hand), the cooler weather has kept vines from growing excessively. But that will happen this coming week: sun, heat and plenty of soil moisture will keep us busy tying and positioning rapidly growing shoots to the trellis wires.

Shoot Thinning

“Green work” is the term winegrowers use to describe the hand work that is done during the growing season.

Bee Still My Heart

The French have a saying that the best thing to leave behind in a vineyard is a footprint. Good winegrowers walk their vines regularly. The technical word for this is "scouting". If a disease or insect infestation is caught early it can be mitigated. If boots aren't on the ground regularly it could be too late.

Spotted Lanternflies have hatched

This week the Spotted Lanternflies (SLF) hatched. Tiny nymphs are crawling everywhere on the vines. They are actually kind of pretty. But they also suck. They feed on vine sap with piercing-sucking mouthparts. Because they are so small at this stage of their development they don't do much damage. At least that is what we are told by the entomologists.

Hot and Dry

Hot and dry is not normal for this time of the year. The vines are doing quite well with even growth, an abundant potential crop, and little disease pressure. But one can’t help from wondering how the rest of the season will unfold given the weather extremes of our new climate.

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.

Vines and Birds

Vines produce grapes for birds, not humans.

First Berry Sampling of 2023

Yesterday we sampled Avenius and Hardscrabble Sauvignon Blanc berries. In the lab, Shari extracted about 200mls of juice and ran analysis for sugar, pH, and TA (titratable acidity). Jim then did an aroma and palate evaluation. We are now tracking ripening. In many ways this is the start of crush 2023. 

Véraison

Véraison is the vine development stage that signals the beginning of ripening. The berries start to sweeten up. You can taste varietal flavors. Most dramatically, there is also a color change. It is very evident in the reds, but the white fruited varieties also shift from deep green to yellow.

Dry

How do you know when you are in a drought? When a winegrower hopes for rain. It has been almost six weeks since our last significant rainfall. The hit and miss thunderstorms have consistently missed Linden.

Cluster Thinning

It is dry, very dry. No appreciable rainfall for nearly a month. However, with a few exceptions the vines look great. Shoot growth is slowing and the canopy remains green and vibrant. Remember that grapevines originate from the Mediterranean where it rarely rains in the summer.

A Dry July Means Small Berries

It has been over three weeks since we have seen a measurable rain. Hit or miss thunderstorms have missed Linden so far.

Roses at the ends of vineyard rows

In the mid-1800s horticulturalists started exchanging exotic plant species across the Atlantic.

Hens and Chicks

We are observing a first potential issue in Chardonnay. Some berries are not enlarging as they should, while others are normal

June Drought

The vines could use some rain.