There is nothing like Spring to bring forth thoughts of renewal and a re-awakening of the pleasures of warmer weather and sunny days ahead.
As I was driving back into Napa Valley after spending “Spring Break” skiing in truly “winter” conditions in the Sierras where the color range each day was measured in shades of white-to-gray-to-black, I was struck with how green and beautiful the Valley is right now.
Most notably, young shoots had begun to emerge from grapevines that had been dormant when I left a little over a week prior. Depending on where you are in the Valley and the type of vine you are looking at, you might observe anything from bare vines with only a swelling of young buds to vines with up to several inches of shoot growth.
In fact, at our Affinity vineyard, the tender young Cabernet Sauvignon shoots have begun to emerge and on many vines have grown to a few inches long. Looking closely, you are just now able to make out the young grape flowers on the tiny shoots.
Up on Howell Mountain however, the buds on the Cabernet Sauvignon vines are barely swelling at this point and have yet to “break”. The exception is the Merlot which has already burst forth, yet is not as far along as many of the vines in the Valley.
Were it not for the striking green of fresh growth on the surrounding trees, lush green hillsides and blooming bushes, shrubs, flowers and trees, you might think it was still Winter up on the mountain.
Well, despite Winter’s reluctance to “let-go”, as evidenced by the whirring of wind machines on a few chilly mornings or the continued rain and shower activity of late, the day time temperatures are warming ever so slightly each day.
The onset of bud break each
spring is always a period of anticipation and anxiety. When I see that new
growth on the vines, it elicits a Pavlovian response as I begin to think about
the beginning of a new vintage. I get excited imagining the possibilities
of an outstanding crop, blessed with perfect weather throughout the growing
season. The anticipation of working with grapes grown under ideal conditions
and tended to by the skilled hands of our vineyard team makes me appreciate the
sight of those young shoots that much more.
Of course, it is the part about the “perfect” weather that brings the subsequent anxiety. The possibility of a serious and prolonged frost event that would kill those tender young shoots is a concern at this time of year. The result could be very serious; however each passing day brings us closer to the safety of warmer temperatures and away from the potential of spring time frost damage.
In addition, there are always powdery mildew worries to consider and the timing of spray applications around the “April showers” can be a bit of a challenge. Heat, wind or rain at bloom time could also cause serious damage or yield reductions and it is these events too that cause sleeplessness as we progress into the growing season.
On top of those “normal” spring time worries is the concern this year over the latest pest that could cause damage in Napa Valley vineyards, the European Grape Vine Moth.
So it is that bud break signals the beginning of a new vintage and the new growth we see on our vines spurs mental images of the “Perfect” year. The reality is that, even in a perfect year, there is a lot of work to do in our vineyards between now and the first day of harvest. There will be even more if Mother Nature makes things difficult. But that’s okay. I know we are capable of handling the challenges.
As I ponder those young shoots and think about the days getting warmer and the sun shining on our beautiful Valley, with a glass of Robert Craig Durell Vineyards Chardonnay at hand, I welcome Spring and vintage 2010 with open arms.
Cheers,
Stephen
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