Well, we’ve gone through the vineyard several times now to do a little ‘housekeeping’. As the canes have gotten longer, we have coaxed them under the wires so they are reaching skyward in what we call ‘vertical shoot positioning’ (VSP). Because we are growing Cabs in a relatively cooler area, we need to urge the grapes to ripen by allowing more warmth, sunlight and air around the clusters.
We’ve also gone through and removed all of the suckers on the lower part of the vines that will steal energy away from our main crop.
Because our vines run east/west, we have a northern exposed side and a southern exposed side. We have pulled all of the leaves on the north facing side to allow warmth and light in. We leave all of the leaves on the south facing side to protect against direct sunlight.
Summer Has Arrived
Well, we’ve gone through the vineyard several times now to do a little ‘housekeeping’. As the canes have gotten longer, we have coaxed them under the wires so they are reaching skyward in what we call ‘vertical shoot positioning’ (VSP). Because we are growing Cabs in a relatively cooler area, we need to urge the grapes to ripen by allowing more warmth, sunlight and air around the clusters.
We’ve also gone through and removed all of the suckers on the lower part of the vines that will steal energy away from our main crop.
Because our vines run east/west, we have a northern exposed side and a southern exposed side. We have pulled all of the leaves on the north facing side to allow warmth and light in. We leave all of the leaves on the south facing side to protect against direct sunlight.
Happy Rootin’ Two-tin Birthday, Presley and Thornton
These guys are just so excited..... aren't they?
Warm Days – Cool Nights
After several days of 90-100 degree weather… the welcome fog rolled in last night. Being only 20 miles from the ocean… our grapes love the hot days and cool nights…. keeps ’em real juicy! The grapes are looking so happy…. And there are a LOT of them this year!!
We love Sonoma County….
Warmer weather
The cane and leaves continue to lengthen. Now when you look at the vines, alongside the leaves are small clusters. At first they look like a small cluster of grapes… but these are emerging flower buds. They will continue to open into the tiniest of flowers.