A Sneak Peek into the Vines: Growing Season 2024
It’s almost August and I have been so busy that I have not had the time to post an update on the 2024 Vineyard Growing Season since before bud break in May!
Budbreak occurred in both vineyards roughly May 25. After budbreak the plants grow rapidly.
The vines bloomed a month later in June and after two weeks of bloom they begin to set their fruit.
During these three months until the fruit starts to color up and ripen the vines are keeping everyone busy controlling growth into the “canopy”, and keeping the plants healthy with spraying nutrients and fungicide. In between, we have to control weeds with mowing.
Now we have a break while the fruit swells and starts to ripen. Growth will slow down and we will begin to look for color in the fruit.
We have experienced what I would call typical Oregon weather this year. Adequate moisture in the winter and spring. Cool nights and warm days starting in July. There were a couple of days of intense heat but the vines reacted to that by growing even faster.
All the damage that we experienced last year in the vines has, for the most part, been reversed. The crop is heavy, healthy and vigorous.
Winding down our Growing Season and looking forward to Harvest
I anticipate harvest in early to mid-October, right on schedule and I predict record crops all over the valley. Just as the birds are making their nests in our vines and watching over their babies, we continue to closely monitor the plants and will give you another report soon.
In the meantime, follow our tasting schedule which is updated regularly for scheduled wine pours in the Portland area. We continue to meet and greet the public during this fun events and share our wines with you!
