I added three sets of double-catch wires this year, along with cross-arms. I placed two-foot long cross-arms at the top of the T-Posts, with a pair of wires running across the top. This lets the canes spread wide, allowing more light into the canopy. A foot below this set, is another set of steel wires,…
Malo-lactic fermentation has completed, and I decided to do some testing. The pH is still high, about 4.1, and the TA measures .52% (5g/l), expressed as tartaric. The TA isn’t bad, but the wine tastes very tart at this point. I think I need to do a cold stabilization (CS) to drop the k-bitartrate, but…
I just noticed the first signs of purple are showing on a few clusters. This means the birds will soon take notice and will start having a picnick. Well, we can’t have that, so tomorrow we put on the bird netting that I bought last year (on special). I will try to take some photos…
The vines are looking good this year and I can see lots of little clusters. I have one vine that’s showing red leaves, which may be due to a phosphorous deficiency.
Winter is here in the desert. This means the vines have finally gone dormant and I can rest a bit. Actually, it means I can get out there and put up the cross-arms and an extra set of catch-wires for next season. I’ll also add some compost and get the soil ready. Then, I can…
I uploaded these for a friend, Chano Aguayo. He runs a vineyard in Sonoma and wanted to share some photo’s with the folks on Winepress.Us and other amateurs. These are photo’s showing different views to help clarify the canopy requirements for shade, dappled light and airflow. I included Chano’s comments with each photo. Click on…
This is the second year for the vineyard. I’m very pleased with the way things have turned out so far. The few clusters I harvested have given me an idea on how much I can expect per vine (11-12 lbs) and what kind of acid and sugar levels I might get (24 Brix, 3.7pH, .8TA).…