Digging Holes
This week, after many weather delays, we finally started planting. 1,000 Cabernet Sauvignon vines are now in the ground. We still have another 2,000 vines to go.
Read MoreCold, Cold March
An unseasonably cold March has kept the vines in a prolonged state of dormancy. This has afforded us a leisurely pruning pace, as there has been no spring panic pushing us to finish pruning before bud break.
Read MoreCalm and Tranquil
I do so dislike the wind, especially the March winds. March is the peak of pruning season. It is so wonderful to be back out in the vineyard full time and without interruption. But I have to admit that the fierce, biting winds of the last several weeks has taken some of the pleasure out of pruning.
Read MoreWine Trade Show Culture
Winery trade show season is January, February and March. Those in the biz are more relaxed at this time and have the time to attend. It has been a number of years since I have been on a trade show floor.
Read MoreWhy I Love to Prune Grapevines
I’m now used to the puzzled looks in reaction to my declaration that pruning is my favorite vineyard activity.
Read MoreSoils, Slopes, and Great Red Wines
I’ve had an article in my head for the past couple of years.
Read MoreLearning by Looking Backwards
In youth I looked forward: new Lyre training systems in the vineyard and fancy high tech dejuicing tanks in the cellar. With age I find myself looking backwards.
Read MoreDressed to Prune
As much as we love winter, pruning this week spurred a longing for at least a hint of spring. So far this year pruning has been a slow process.
Read MoreKS, The Evolution of a New Wine
This week was white barrel topping week. Once a month we top off all barrels. Because of evaporation through the oak staves, each barrel loses about a half a liter of wine (angel’s share).
Read MoreBottling
Bottling is the culmination of several years of winegrowing effort. For this reason it is arguably the most stressful aspect of winemaking. There are a lot of moving parts and players.
Read MoreA Temporary Thaw
A temporary thaw did not thwart us from ice skating on the farm pond. Looks like we will have another opportunity later this week.
Read MoreThe Coldest Week
This has been the coldest week I can remember since 1994. The pond has frozen enough for ice skating and most outside wall water pipes have frozen. However, we are not too concerned about any vine damage as the coldest temperatures have “only” been in the low single digits.
Read MoreExtraction
With the exception of one stubborn lot, The Merlots and Cabernet Francs are finished fermenting. We start our “two day tastings” today.
Read MorePetit Manseng
Today we pick part of the Petit Manseng vineyard. We will harvest grapes primarily from the younger vines for “demi-sec”. Physiological ripening seems to have stalled, perhaps because of the warm weather and drought conditions.
Read MoreVidal
Vidal was harvested yesterday and will be crushed today. In the past some Vidal has was picked as a blending partner with Riesling. The rest was dedicated to Late Harvest. This year will be different for several reasons.
Read MoreA Winegrowers Balance
Yesterday we harvested all the Hardscrabble Petit Verdot and two blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon. We will crush them this morning and then in the afternoon we will pick our steep slope Cabernet. Tomorrow will be a very big day where...
Read MoreMerlot Reflections
All the Merlot is now in fermenters. This could be the best Merlot Linden has ever produced.
Read MoreEnd Game Plan
Today we pick the last of the Merlot along with some Boisseau Cabernet Sauvignon. So far the harvested reds have all been of “single vineyard” quality, meaning that there have been no consideration of declassification down to Claret.
Read MoreSmooth Sailing
What a civilized harvest we are having. Taking full advantage of a very favorable forecast, we are slowly and methodically picking and crushing small lots of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Today Avenius Vineyard is up to bat.
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