Vineyard Notes

I think we can all say we’re happy to see 2020 in the rear view mirror. A fresh blanket of snow on the new wine barn is a beautiful way to kick off 2021.

You read that right – there’s a new wine barn!

We spent the bulk of our pandemic quarantine time overseeing construction of our winery space. We’ve moved all the wine equipment over and completed a full round of racking. We love it! Quite a bit of thought went into the design and layout of the space, so it was very rewarding to learn the workspace turned out just as we wanted.

Of course, a taste test accompanied the racking. Though it’s not near done yet, our sophomore effort tastes superior to last year. I thoroughly enjoy figuring out where we can improve the process, or inputs, to make a better final product. I think that’s the goal we should all aim for in everything we do – learn from our past to make a better future.

In the 3rd year of the vineyard, we are still learning – as likely will be for some time. This year’s big lesson was the need for a basic element: Boron. With out boron, the plant can not use the available nitrogen effectively. So late into the season, we are starting to see positive impact of adding this element to the vineyard – green leaves and nice growth.

In addition, the fruit has started veraison. This year’s crop is looking wonderful and we are hoping for a long, sunny fall to help the fruit ripen.

Busy – the definition of springtime on the farm.

We’ve been tending the vineyard, growing out layer hens, started homeschooling, and are catching up on outdoor maintenance in the better weather. Even our ladies are helping with pest control in the vineyard.

While spring is not my favorite season (fall has always had my heart), it certainly brings a smile to my face to see the sun and new growth around the property after the loooong gray days of winter in the PNW. Bud break and watching the shoots reach to the sky is very life affirming. The shoots in the warm cubby of the posts grow like weeds, reminding me of the love we need to flourish.

 

So, friends, it’s been a while. Our hens are all grown, laying eggs and adding a special cackle to our days. Our rookie year is done, full of mistakes and victories. Now, we begin to prune and train our vineyard for our sophomore effort.

Scott began the pruning tasks today, under the watchful eye of our puppy, Digby. The second year of pruning is teaching us more about wise vineyard management. Each year is a new challenge and pressing us to stretch and learn as we strive to improve.

The first vintage is settling out and we are anxious to taste it. But, it’s too early to make any judgements about the effects of our flubs in the vineyard versus our positive outcomes. Maybe our wine dog will bring good luck for the 2020 season.

Cheers!

As the vines turn golden in the shortening days of fall, we embarked on a new project – chickens!

As a family, we built a chicken coop, gathered supplies, and brought home six little, peeping balls of fluff. Three Buff Orpington chicks and three Jersey Giants make up our flock. We needed something to do since we had no fruit worth harvesting this first year.

The kids fell in love before we even got the box of little peepers home. It’s been fun to watch them, especially our daughter, bond with the birds and learn to care for something besides the life inside the walls of our home.

As the days are (FINALLY) beginning to lengthen, our chicks are officially hens, producing eggs on a fairly regular basis. Wonder returned to our faces as we picked up the first perfectly formed eggs. And we are learning to care for our hens as they transition to adulthood.

It all makes me wonder what progress and maturation we’ll see in the vineyard in the next few months as we enter spring and our second leaf year…