Our vineyards live a tough life. They are cared for by a crew of vineyardists who sing around them (rain or shine) and handle each vine anywhere from nine to twelve times per season. Our vineyards are tucked in and surrounded by permanent cover crop. They have plenty of company (besides our crew) with worms, insects, mammals, reptiles, etc. keeping them company day and night. Our vineyards get water (not too much) when they need it. They have natural air conditioning in the marine layer that “frizzles” on them keeping them clean and cool usually following the hottest of days.
Sounds good, eh?
Just when they’ve got their fruit and seeds ripe and are getting ready for a long dormant season, we come through (singing continues) and harvest the fruit that they (and us too) have worked on all year. A bit shocking? You bet. That’s why we believe in giving back (read about our efforts with Healdsburg Education Foundation as well). It’s at this time of year that we start giving the vines a little pre-dormancy treat with compost spreading. The compost is pomace (stems, seeds and skins) and purchased compost. We mix the two together, let compost (heat up and break down) a bit more and spread in the vine rows before the rains come. We also seed some rows with a native wildflower mix (about every 10 rows). In the spring when these flowers bloom they will provide habitat for even more insect company for our vines.
Let’s not forget the sheep and chickens that are again welcome in the vineyard now that the grapes have been picked. We also address erosion control issues. The more water that we keep on and in the vineyards, the better off the vines will be come next spring (not to mention the benefits for the native Salmon and Steelhead in Wine Creek). It’s a busy time in the vineyard right now. As much work as there is to do still, we would all love to see the rains come and soak things down. That would be the best reward for the vines that have given us so much this vintage.
