It was January when I decided I would expand the vineyard to complete the partial row and add one additional row of vines on the far side of the vineyard. I waxed and waned through most of the fall and early winter on whether to plant more, wondering if I was up to the additional work that comes from drilling holes, adding trellis and expanding the irrigation system. The planting itself is the least of the tasks. My friend, Denny Allen, warned me that expansion creep is exactly how he ended up with 600 vines and a vineyard that was beginning to prove itself too much work.
My plan was to complete one row that was about half the length of the others, and add one additional row where I removed seven fruit trees in last year that were planted in 2014. The partial row was an afterthought, planted with 18 Cabernet Sauvignon on 3309 rootstock that were mistakenly shipped with my 2016 order from Double A Vineyards. My order was for 27 Cabernet Sauvignon on 101-14 rootstock, but the box included 27 Cabernet Sauvignon vines on 3309 rootstock. I offered to return the vines, but Double A said to keep them at no charge. I planted the 18 and gave the others to friends. The short row allowed me to maintain distance from the fruit trees that I would later remove.
Adding to the partial row would require additional work pulling the end post and anchor, a task that nearly ended in disaster when the left rear tractor tire was lifted off the ground when pulling the end anchor. It was momentarily frightening.
I cast about for a supplier that at such a late date could provide the desired quantity on 101-14 rootstock. The Double A Vineyard website showed them out of stock. NovaVine in Santa Rosa CA, was the only place I could find Cabernet Franc, offered it in several different clones, but none of which were on my desired 101-14 rootstock. I called them to check availability and price, and told them I would call back shortly.
I took a flyer and called Double A on the offhand chance their website was incorrect. The sales rep took a minute and then quickly told me they had a cancellation and could provide the 64 Cab Franc on 101-14. They also told me it is always wise to call.
My vines were shipped Monday, March 26 (their first shipping date of the season) and arrived right on schedule Thursday, March 29. I immediately put the box in a refrigerator in the winery set to hold 55 degrees. My plan was to use the Easter weekend to layout the expansion, pull the one end post and anchor and drill all the holes. Planting would then take place during the following week.
The second year when I added an additional 100 vines, I opted for a 9-in. auger in an attempt to speed up the process. It helped, but still proved difficult in many locations.
The difference, however, showed up when the vines planted in 2016 in the smaller holes showed lower vigor and slower development when compared to the vines planted in 2015 in the larger holes.
I made the decision to go with the 12-in. auger for this expansion, firm in the belief the larger diameter hole had fostered more vigorous root and vine development.
On Tuesday morning, the contractor called and told asked if I preferred a 15-in. or a 9-in. auger. Although disappointed he didn't have a 12-in. bit, I went with the larger, based on my experience with the smaller bit. I saw no downside, other than a little additional work filling the holes and dealing with end post positioning.
The drilling was completed by noon, and all the vines were planted and watered in soon after dark. The last five vines were planted with the assistance of a headlamp. Blue X grow tubes and bamboo posts were added by the weekend, the irrigation and end posts 10 days later. Anchors, line posts and anchors are still in the queue.
As of April 23, all vines have successfully awakened, pushed their buds and withstood the April 16 freeze.
My plan was to complete one row that was about half the length of the others, and add one additional row where I removed seven fruit trees in last year that were planted in 2014. The partial row was an afterthought, planted with 18 Cabernet Sauvignon on 3309 rootstock that were mistakenly shipped with my 2016 order from Double A Vineyards. My order was for 27 Cabernet Sauvignon on 101-14 rootstock, but the box included 27 Cabernet Sauvignon vines on 3309 rootstock. I offered to return the vines, but Double A said to keep them at no charge. I planted the 18 and gave the others to friends. The short row allowed me to maintain distance from the fruit trees that I would later remove.
Adding to the partial row would require additional work pulling the end post and anchor, a task that nearly ended in disaster when the left rear tractor tire was lifted off the ground when pulling the end anchor. It was momentarily frightening.
Finding the Vines
I decided to add 64 Cabernet Franc vines, spaced on 4.5-ft. centers rather than the 6-ft. centers in the rest of the vineyard. My trip to Napa and Sonoma in 2017 convinced me to go with closer spacing, a decision encouraged by Denny, who is a firm believer in the tighter spacing.I cast about for a supplier that at such a late date could provide the desired quantity on 101-14 rootstock. The Double A Vineyard website showed them out of stock. NovaVine in Santa Rosa CA, was the only place I could find Cabernet Franc, offered it in several different clones, but none of which were on my desired 101-14 rootstock. I called them to check availability and price, and told them I would call back shortly.
I took a flyer and called Double A on the offhand chance their website was incorrect. The sales rep took a minute and then quickly told me they had a cancellation and could provide the 64 Cab Franc on 101-14. They also told me it is always wise to call.
My vines were shipped Monday, March 26 (their first shipping date of the season) and arrived right on schedule Thursday, March 29. I immediately put the box in a refrigerator in the winery set to hold 55 degrees. My plan was to use the Easter weekend to layout the expansion, pull the one end post and anchor and drill all the holes. Planting would then take place during the following week.
A Few Words About Holes
When I planted the first vines in 2015, I used a 12-in. diameter auger on my tractor-mounted post hole digger. That proved to be a serious challenge in part of the vineyard where topsoil had been removed to accommodate construction of my home, shop, and driveway. Some of the soil was challenging or impenetrable, with some holes requiring the addition of water, and even hand digging. It took almost two weeks—and assistance of my landscaper—to get the first 100 holes drilled and the vines in the ground.The second year when I added an additional 100 vines, I opted for a 9-in. auger in an attempt to speed up the process. It helped, but still proved difficult in many locations.
The difference, however, showed up when the vines planted in 2016 in the smaller holes showed lower vigor and slower development when compared to the vines planted in 2015 in the larger holes.
I made the decision to go with the 12-in. auger for this expansion, firm in the belief the larger diameter hole had fostered more vigorous root and vine development.
Drilling and Planting
I started drilling when I got home from church on Easter Sunday. The first 10 holes were easy and went quickly, until I moved near the top of the rise. Following perhaps a dozen unsuccessful attempts to penetrate the hard-pan layer with the 12-in. bit, I called it quits and went to the shade for a glass of iced tea and my iPad; my search was on for someone with a Bobcat who could make quick work of the drilling. I sent text messages to four contractors I found on Craig's List, outlining the scope of work. I got two immediate responses: one offering to come out in three weeks, the other available immediately. I went with immediately.On Tuesday morning, the contractor called and told asked if I preferred a 15-in. or a 9-in. auger. Although disappointed he didn't have a 12-in. bit, I went with the larger, based on my experience with the smaller bit. I saw no downside, other than a little additional work filling the holes and dealing with end post positioning.
The drilling was completed by noon, and all the vines were planted and watered in soon after dark. The last five vines were planted with the assistance of a headlamp. Blue X grow tubes and bamboo posts were added by the weekend, the irrigation and end posts 10 days later. Anchors, line posts and anchors are still in the queue.
As of April 23, all vines have successfully awakened, pushed their buds and withstood the April 16 freeze.
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