Blogs

October, 2021

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

The yield and quality of what we have picked thus far has been good and what we need is some good weather for the next six weeks with warm days, cool nights, and a delay in moisture until December.

September, 2021

From the Ground Up

We have had a good growing season with no excessive heat, and we have enough water to take care of the grapes.

August, 2021

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

Is it possible that we are just a few weeks from harvest? Yes! Time marches on and the vines have changed to a more mature color of green. The canes went from dark green to yellow and then brown, a good sign of maturity.

July, 2021

From the Ground Up

When we go through and hedge, we remove about a foot from the shoots which redirects the energy from the growth of the wine to caring for the grapes. It also tells the vine that we are reaching another level of maturity. I never read this in a book.

June, 2021

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

This is a critical time for sunshine, moderate to warm temperatures, not too much heat, and not too much fog. So far, everything is on track.

May, 2021

From the Ground Up

April showers bring May flowers, but where are the showers? Last year we had seven inches of rain in April. This year we had none in March or April and it doesn’t look like we have any more coming. Grapes are not big users of water but they do need it.

April, 2021

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

In the past couple of weeks, the buds on the vines have swelled and some are beginning to open.

March, 2021

From the Ground Up

The most important task that we do in the vineyard is pruning. This morning I was driving my 2004 Ford F-150, “The Dustmobile”, through two rows of grapevines, admiring the pruning job. What we do in January and February determines what kind of grapes we get in September and October

February, 2021

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

Welcome to another year! One thing about the grape business is that we always have something to look forward to and that is next year’s grapes and last year’s wines.