Wines I'm Making: Vines Pruned (February 15, 2021)

Yesterday and the day before, I pruned the 34 vines in our little backyard vineyard. It takes only a couple of hours, but I often put it off more than perhaps I should. Typically the cuts ooze sap because the ground is already warming by the time I get around to the chore, particularly in recent years as our winters have become less severe. Waiting doesn't seem to make any difference, though. There will be nothing to do in the vineyard now until the vines start pushing out new shoots and the shoots need thinning. Here's to hoping for a good harvest this coming season—and a harvest not impacted by wildfires. 

Wines I'm Making: First Leaves on the Sangiovese Vines

The first leaves have opened on some of the Sangiovese vines in the last day or two. The light frost we had this morning doesn't seem to have bothered them. No sign of leaves yet on the Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc vines only a few feet away, but the buds are swollen. The Sangiovese is typically as much as two weeks ahead of the Cabernet. I pruned only a few weeks ago but already this year's wine is in the making. This will be our seventh vintage. The wine gets better every year.

Wines I'm Making: Vines Pruned

Last week, I meant to note here that I pruned the vines on February 27. Everything looks good, although there is still a lot of unevenness from vine to vine. The strongest look like something out of a textbook. The weakest appear a bit runty. All seem to be healthy, however. Starting last spring, I've tried to fertilize differentially, in the hope of evening up the growth a bit. Also making progress in correcting my early pruning errors. I've succeeded in shortening a fair number of spurs.