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Wine making and grape farming are in large part a long series of repetitive tasks.

Preparing 3 acres for planting – move tractor, line up augur over mark for next plant, drop augur, dig hole, life augur, move tractor, line up augur over mark for next plant . . repeat 3000 times.





Final pruning and tying up of plants for new season – move to plant, make a final few pruning cuts, secure cordon to fruiting wire with a clip here, here, here, here . . ., move to next plant . . . . . 3000 times.





Racking wine, testing samples (including tasting samples), bottling, labeling, reshuffling and moving boxes of wine, cleaning the tasting room.

I guess it only appeals to a certain type of person. Winery friends listen to their latest music mixes to pass the time. Joan and I use the time to think, ponder, and generally let our minds drift and wander. If we are working together we use the time to solve our own and the world’s problems.

This year and next year and next year and . . . . .

If You've Ever Been a Mother...

don't become a wine grape grower!

This picture shows what we call, "bud burst." It signals spring is here and these little babies want to start to boogie! The problem is that the last frost isn't usually until the end of the month so odds are that these beautiful buds will get crispy fried before they have a chance to fully grow into long beautiful shoots that will produce grapes.

This means that as their chief caretaker, I am going to spend the next several weeks watching the weather and hovering over the grape vines, trying to talk them into going back into dormancy. Of course, like children, they will not listen to me and will continue to venture further out into the world.

I guess there is one good thing that comes out of my hovering over my vines. My adult children must be overjoyed I now have something other than them to spend my worrying time on. How about it, Kathryn and Ian?

It's Pruning Time!

Tim and I are back in the vineyard. The winter pruning has begun. It feels good. As I work up and down the rows trying to pick the spurs that will produce the best fruit for the 2008 harvest I get very excited with visions of beautiful green shoots and big, thick clusters of grapes. I can't wait for the earth to warm up and the vines to start their swelling. This is the most hopeful time of year, before nature reminds me that she is the one who will be in control of the outcome of this year's harvest. Still, I can't wait!

Bud Burst!

Last week I decided to stay out of the vineyard for a few days as the vines were still dormant. I thought I'd have a little breather before the growing season began. I have learned that once grape vines bud out I become very busy trying to keep up with their growth. Boy, was I surprised when I returned to the vineyard on Saturday! The vines have budded out! The season has begun. I find this time of year very exciting. So, I am starting my busy but happy time of year.

Pruning Time

Pruning is a time of suspense, hope, anticipation, disappointment and joy. Before I cut into each vine I wonder if it has survived the winter. Fortunately this spring I have experienced much joy, as with most cuts I felt the blade slide easily through the vine and saw the green wood start to ooze its life blood. This signals that the vine has indeed survived. This is the first season I have experienced so little winter kill. It’s nice to start the season so positively, since I’ve learned that with farming things can change in an instant.

The pruning is almost done for the season, thanks to help from Tim, daughter Kathryn and my friend Kathy. It is none too soon as we have been experiencing temperatures 10 to 15 degrees higher than normal. Let’s hope we do not get a killer frost in the next month!