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.
Read MoreVéraison
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.
Read MoreDry
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.
Read MoreCluster 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.
Read MoreA 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.
Read MoreMowing, Wine, and Climate Change
It is a common practice to grow grass between the vineyard rows. Mowing decisions are not based on aesthetics, but on the vineyard ecosystem.
Read MoreRoses at the ends of vineyard rows
In the mid-1800s horticulturalists started exchanging exotic plant species across the Atlantic.
Read MoreHens and Chicks
We are observing a first potential issue in Chardonnay. Some berries are not enlarging as they should, while others are normal
Read MoreDry Weather
The vines are green and growing, but the grass and cover crops are looking thirsty.
Read MoreEasy Spring
What a fabulous start to vintage 2023. Cool and very dry conditions have tempered vine growth to a very manageable pace.
Read MoreThe Lanternfly has arrived at Hardscrabble Vineyard
While working the vines we discovered these Spotted Lanternfly nymphs. The nymphs don’t do any damage to the vines. But the adults will suck sap from the succulent vine shoots. We expect to see them later this summer.
Read MoreBlooms
The first blooms have appeared in Chardonnay. The timing seems about average. Once 50% of the flowers have opened the date will be recorded and we can compare this year’s progress to past vintages. At this writing it is raining.
Read MoreFlush of Green
The transition from shoot thinning to shoot positioning and tying has begun. Our marathon of canopy management will continue until early July.
Read MoreShoot Thinning: Green Work Begins
Wine is made in the vineyard. So what does that really mean?
Read MoreUnsettled 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.
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