New Buds on Pinot Noir Grapevines

Elise StimacGrowing

Springtime buds on grape vines on Three Feathers Estate, Chehalem Mountain AVA, Yamhill County, Oregon, United States.
Springtime buds on grape vines on Three Feathers Estate, Chehalem Mountain AVA, Yamhill County, Oregon, United States.

Springtime buds on grape vines on Three Feathers Estate, Chehalem Mountain AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States.

New Buds

We go out frequently to see if the vines are coming to life. Today I could detect the tiniest little swelling on a new bud. We have had a record breaking winter of ice, snow, rain and mud with many slides in the valley.  With the coming of spring it has warmed a bit and we have had some dry days but there is still a lot of water and the ground is not dry enough to do any work. The vines have been pruned so we’re all ready for the new season in the vineyard.

It is hard to believe that inside this almost imperceptible white bump is a miracle of foliage and fruit waiting to burst forth.