It's been quite some time—eight months to be exact—since I sat down at the keyboard and recorded my thoughts and activities in the vineyard. It has been a time of learning, of growth, and of sorrow..
First, I completed the trellis system in time to train both old and new vines to their new support structure. I'm pleased with the final product, and will add some photos later as an update to this post. Each of the products I used worked far above expectations to produce a clean, simple support structure I was able to erect by myself. That has been an important requirement, as I had no help in the heavy lifting and wire-pulling department other than my little John Deere 3032e compact utility tractor. The decision to use Wire Vise fasteners, Gripple anchors and wire fasteners, in-line tensioner products and a small "spinning jenny" made the construction quick and easy. It was a rewarding and provided a sense of accomplishment.
The down side is that I removed the drip irrigation system I installed the previous year. I needed it out of the way to drive line posts, then didn't bother to reinstall it because it no longer fit the footprint of the newly expanded vineyard. The result is that the vines did not produce the same vigorous development from 2015. I have redesigned the system
into three zones, ordered the parts and will get this corrected before the 2017 growing season.
As a time of learning, I discovered that two-year-old vines can put on plenty of grapes, that ripening starts earlier than I expected, and that the birds are a mortal enemy in the vineyard. I allowed too many of the 2014 vines to set too much fruit at the expense of vine development. I also did not protect the grapes sufficiently from birds. Both of these mistakes will not be duplicated in 2017.
I did, however, manage to harvest 12-lbs of Zinfandel and 20-lbs. of white grapes (Seyval Blanc, Chardonel and the few Viognier) that escaped the birds.
My interest in all things suffered mightily as I reckoned with the passing of my lovely wife, Suzy, who lost her 13-year battle with Medullary Thyroid Cancer. In her selfless fashion, her prayers every day included entreaties on behalf of the vineyard and the fool who labors there.
I have much to write and catch up on, including some terrible rainfall numbers, the experience in the winery and the classroom, and some of the new vineyard friends I've made.
I look hopefully to 2017 as another opportunity for learning and growth, while praying for no more sorrow.
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The trellis end posts, with Gripple brand
tie-backs. The black drip irrigation hose is
attached to a bottom wire about 18-in. high.
The post angle is a little less that what
can be found in other vineyards.
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The down side is that I removed the drip irrigation system I installed the previous year. I needed it out of the way to drive line posts, then didn't bother to reinstall it because it no longer fit the footprint of the newly expanded vineyard. The result is that the vines did not produce the same vigorous development from 2015. I have redesigned the system
into three zones, ordered the parts and will get this corrected before the 2017 growing season.
 |
Trellis wires terminate in one-way Wire Vise
anchors. The wire will only move in one
direction. I use the Gripple tensioner tool to
tighten the wire. The post tie-back is a
Gripple product packaged in pairs. Both
products are quick and simple to use.
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As a time of learning, I discovered that two-year-old vines can put on plenty of grapes, that ripening starts earlier than I expected, and that the birds are a mortal enemy in the vineyard. I allowed too many of the 2014 vines to set too much fruit at the expense of vine development. I also did not protect the grapes sufficiently from birds. Both of these mistakes will not be duplicated in 2017.
I did, however, manage to harvest 12-lbs of Zinfandel and 20-lbs. of white grapes (Seyval Blanc, Chardonel and the few Viognier) that escaped the birds.
My interest in all things suffered mightily as I reckoned with the passing of my lovely wife, Suzy, who lost her 13-year battle with Medullary Thyroid Cancer. In her selfless fashion, her prayers every day included entreaties on behalf of the vineyard and the fool who labors there.
I have much to write and catch up on, including some terrible rainfall numbers, the experience in the winery and the classroom, and some of the new vineyard friends I've made.
I look hopefully to 2017 as another opportunity for learning and growth, while praying for no more sorrow.
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