Different Winter Work

It snowed in the area! We’re not used to seeing snow and enjoying the change of pace. Being careful and helping cut down fallen trees around the vineyards this week:

Hillside Babies

We had a few planting projects this year, including replanting this hillside vineyard. Nothing like seeing new growth and potential in the vineyard.

Weed Whacking Champ

When it’s been a minute, and you need help weed whacking in the vineyard with precision - mowing down the weeds and protecting the vines. Francisco did and expert job in this vineyard. Here’s a picture of the before.

Last Garden Harvest

Our home garden did not disappoint this year. It was all we could do to keep up with harvest all the goodies, and thanks to some extended warmer weather we harvested well into October, eating the last of it this November. Cheers to green thumbs!

Sunshine in the Vineyard

The sun has been shining strongly; we’ve had heat waves and the vines are soaking it up and reaching to the sky. It’s an exciting time in the vineyard with all the new growth (yes, we’re bias and love being in the vineyard all times of year)!

Erosion Control

In the vineyard - On a steep hillside vineyard we brought straw before the recent rain storms. Photos from our work below. May it rain again soon!

Our Garden

We had actually decided to expand our garden before the pandemic turned life on its side and helped us focus more on home and not just work. Last year, Francisco removed a large oak tree which left us with room for an additional garden bed this year.

Last year was our first garden, and like true newbies, we started too late. Come fall, the cucumbers were amazing, and the corn some how grew 15’ tall, but most of the summer we spent watering and looking longingly at the plants, waiting for them to offer their fruit.

This year, we got our seeds out in February, and planted indoors in the first week of March. At some point the labels we had on everything washed off (note for next year), so we’re enjoying some guesswork and finger pointing this spring. The plants went into the ground the week of Easter and, well, they look happy to be outside - green and full. We’ve harvested lettuce and spinach. And this week, we cut back the oregano, and are drying it for later use.

Upside down and in the California sun.

Do you have favorite plants/varieties for your home garden?

Backyard Tourist: Bale Grist Mill

Note - this post was originally published 04.28.2015

Last week we went for a walk in the trees.  Once the summer weather rolls in and the rains stop for the season, anything without deep roots turns withers away in the sun.  So, it's nice to walk among the vines or head to a park and enjoy walking among trees.

September = California Wine Month

Note - this post was originally published 09.11.2014

It's official.  The governer decreed it: September 2014 is California Wine Month.  Not every September, just this one as an effort to boost morale and let tourists know that we're still here and we still have lovely grapes to harvest and wines to pour and sell.

Governor Brown includes a history of the wine industry in this State (and we thought he'd talk about economic impact):  http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=18686

Below are a couple photos we took this week of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes ripening in the afternoon sun in St. Helena.  Cheers!

Foraging - Pomegranates

Note - this post was originally published 09.08.2014

Foraging for food is eating local, culinary nouveau - it's so old it's back "in" again. I’m always terrified of the prospect because I live under the assumption that I’ll be one of those who picks a pretty poisonous plant and literally dies of ignorance. Enter my better half, who grew up on a ranch, working and enjoying the outdoors.

Long story short, we’ve savored a number of sweet natural treats, exotic to me, mundane for him. Little treasures hidden in plain sight. This week: Granadas! Pomegranates!

Earthquake

Note - this post was originally published 09.05.2014

As you probably know two weeks ago we had and experienced a 6.0 earthquake in Napa Valley. The epicenter was in the town of American Canyon just south of the town of Napa at the southern end of the Valley. We’re up at the northern end of the Valley and luckily did not experience as much damage, but definitely felt the quake.

So, we weren’t hurt and our home is intact, just a bit shaken up (forgive the pun). In the southern end of the valley, especially near the old part of downtown Napa buildings of all kind were damaged. In a valley that now depends on tourism, especially this time of year, the worry now is that people are canceling their plans to visit.

We’re ok. Wineries are open for tasting and grapes are being picked daily now that harvest has started. It’s still an exciting time to be in the valley. Happy September!

Nets

Note - this post was originally published 8.07.2014

The grapes have undergone veraison – the onset of ripening when the color of the berries (grapes) change color. Until now both the red and white varieties have been green. Literally.

In some of the vineyards we take care of, we’ve had to net the vines against local birds who have also noticed the ripening fruit.

Hot Air Balloons

Note - this post was originally published 08.05.2014

One of our favorite things about Napa Valley in the summer, is the chance to watch hot air balloons pass over head early in the morning.  Beautiful colors gliding over the vineyards.  One of these days we'll be the people in the balloon at dawn's early light, but for now we're the ones in the vineyard, looking up and enjoying the view.

California Sunshine

Note - this post was originally published 04.23.2014

Everyone talks about it.  People fly thousands of miles for the guarantee of soaking up some of the rays.  What we find amazing is the growth it inspires.  It's April and we've been eating pints of super lush, sweet, large strawberries by the pint this week.  And of course, the grapes.  The vines have sent out shoots and now we're just trying to keep up:

Our Little Batch of Limoncello

Note - this post was first published 2/23/2014.

It’s citrus season and we decided to take advantage of the alluring lemon aroma by starting our own small batch of limoncello!  After reworking our recipe from a couple years ago and harvesting over 50 of our favorite organic lemons, we sat down one morning to begin.

First step wash and dry the lemons.

Next, peeling just the yellow.

Then mixing together the alcohol, filtered water, and lemon.

And now we wait.

Vineyards: Pest Management

Note - this post was originally published 2/19/2014.

Congrats to Francisco!  He is now a licensed private applicator for pesticides.  Looking for someone to employ to take care of your vineyards and/or wine?  Look no further.  Awesome career development and good for personal safety.  He can now apply pesticides and teach others about the safety precautions to take when working with pesticides.

There are many strategies for pest management in the vineyards.  At some point to protect the grapes though, vineyard owners (even the organically farmed ones) often choose to spray.  For example, they might spray a sulfur solution to prevent molds/powdery mildew after summer rains.