Lines on the Vines

Elise Stimac2018, 2019, Blog, Growing, Red Wine, Vineyard, White WinesLeave a Comment

Torio Vineyard growth and a new tenant
Torio Vineyard growth and new tenant
Torio Vineyard growth and new tenant

We must cultivate our own garden…

Voltaire, Candide

Lines on the Vines | Spring 2020 Season

Already June 1st! Where did the spring go?

Despite the situation worldwide with the Corona-virus, which meant for us that our schedule of wine tasting events was cancelled, the grape vines continue to grow and need tending and we have maintained a strong focus on the plants.

Everything is going well. We have had varied weather from dry in April, to wet in May. Some heat but mostly cool and damp. This brings on growth but also the possibility of molds and Mildew on the plants. We have to be diligent with our spray applications to prevent disease.

We have been developing our human resources, notably creating a crew to help with the pruning and canopy control so that we can do our work in a timely manner and not when others are available. Right now is the most labor intensive time. The shoots are growing rapidly and need to be controlled as they grow in order to keep them out of the way of tractors and train them for maximum production.

Ironically, we spend a lot of time creating healthy and strong plants and the rest of the time pruning off excess growth to create the best possible harvest. We seek a balance between foliage and fruit.

Torio Vineyard growth and cover crop grasses
Torio Vineyard growth and cover crop grasses

We have been letting grasses grow in the aisles – as a cover crop – and are now ready to cut them. This will mulch the plants and add nutrients to the soil in a natural way. This year we are attempting to grow our own clover seed on an extra field to use in the aisles next year. We will harvest the clover hay in the spring and spread it in the rows to help with nitrogen fixing.

Three Feathers Memorial Day Wine Tasting event
Three Feathers Memorial Day Wine Tasting event

Our annual Memorial Day Wine Tasting Open House took place as scheduled on Sunday May 24. Friends of the vineyard and a couple of newcomers gathered at the house and enjoyed a sunny day of tasting, kicking back at an appropriate distance, and feeling a sense of normalcy that we all crave. We sold some wine, added a couple of Club Members, and enjoyed the gardens in full bloom.

Just bottled Three Feathers Reserve 667 and Blanc de Noirs 2019
Just bottled Three Feathers Reserve 667 and Blanc de Noirs 2019

Additionally, we just bottled our 2018 Reserve 667 and our 2019 Blanc de Noirs! These wines will be released in a couple of months once they get used to their new bottles and we will publish an article about them at that time.

We include some photos of our garden topiaries getting a much needed haircut. We all need a haircut right now, but in this case these 25 year old trees have never been properly pruned.

Three Feathers topiary trees getting a haircut
Our 25-year old topiary trees get a haircut

Jose is a professional from a local wholesale nursery who has come in his spare time to prune. They look fabulous and add so much to the landscape. Thank you so much, Jose.

Three Feathers topiary trees professionally pruned
Three Feathers topiary trees professionally pruned

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *