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Almost Finished Pruning - 30 Acres Done, 2 to Go!
We are almost finished pruning! You cannot believe what happy campers we are around here! We have pruned 30 1/3 acres and only have 2 more to go - one more day. Continue »
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:14 PM
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Hand Pruning the Vineyard 2017
Hand pruning is in full swing at the vineyard. With 32 1/3 acres to prune, we have to book it to get finished before bud break. A typical day for us from now until we are done is being out in the vineyard around 9:00 am and working until 5:00 pm. Continue »
Mar 20, 2017 at 8:17 PM
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Precision Pruning Using the Pellenc TRP 2017
Last year, we purchased the Pellenc TRP Precision Pruner which cut our pruning time in half! The TRP attaches on the front arm of the Pellenc 4560 as it straddles the vine row (like the pre-pruner) Continue »
Mar 13, 2017 at 8:20 PM
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Pre-Pruning the Vineyard 2017
Here we go again! Pre-pruning the vineyard 2017 has started and finished. Using our Pellenc 4560 grape harvester with the pre-pruner attachment makes it quick and easy. Continue »
Mar 6, 2017 at 8:23 PM
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Preparing for Vineyard Expansion
We have taken advantage of unseasonably warm weather and started preparing for vineyard expansion! We are planting 5 more acres of grapes this year: 4 acres will be Albarino and 1 acre of Roussanne. Continue »
Feb 6, 2017 at 8:25 PM
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Making Wine at Home
Making wine at home involves several steps and time. Making wine at home can be done with very little equipment. While we use a crusher/destemmer and a bladder press, it can be done without them. A quick internet search will yield a viariety of suggestions. Continue »
Nov 4, 2016 at 8:26 PM
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Making Wine - Crushing Grapes
Well, harvest is over but there are always grapes left to glean! Because of the way our vine rows are set up, the last vine on the row does not get harvested by the Pellenc grape harvester. Continue »
Oct 31, 2016 at 8:28 PM
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Grape Harvest 2016
Last week was a flurry of activity around here - grape harvest 2016 had finally arrived! If you remember, we had lost our whole Roussanne grapes to bunch rot. After that, I felt like I was holding my breath until the Aglianico and Montepulciano were out of the vineyard. Continue »
Oct 20, 2016 at 8:32 PM
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Roussane Grapes and Bunch Rot
This is a difficult post to write. After all, I would never have dreamed that I would be telling you about a battle between our Roussane grapes and bunch rot. But, this is real life and I want to be real with you, sharing the ups and downs. Continue »
Sep 12, 2016 at 8:34 PM
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Veraison and Cluster Counts = Ripening Grapes!
The grapes are beginning to ripen or to put it in grape-growing lingo - veraison is occurring! Yes, as you might imagine, it is a very exciting time of year for us. And, a race as we work in the vineyard to find the ripest grapes to enjoy. Along with veraison comes cluster counts which means we go through the vineyard counting how many clusters of grapes are on a vine. Continue »
Jul 25, 2016 at 8:36 PM
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