2021 Drought Conditions
The governer of California declared a state of emergency for two counties this past week due to drought conditions - Sonoma and Mendocino, with particular concern in the Russian River Valley. With only 12.77 inches of water this year, we’ve only had about 38% of expected rainfall (as compared to historic average). And the little rain the weekend before last, was definitely just a teaser.
Here are links to some recent articles on the news:
Mountain Views
Photos from the vineyard this week - vineyards up on the top of the mountain with a views that never get old. Here’s to a great next week!
Clearing land
This week we’ve been helping with a project clear the land along the property edge. Cleaning up lots of weeds, branches, blackberry vines, and dead trees. Here are a few photos:
Weed whacking
After some rain and lots of good California sunshine, we’re back to weed whacking in the vineyard. A few photos from this week:
2021 Vintage
This week we had our first peak of the 2021 vintage in the vineyard. It’s exciting every year. Bud break, another sure sign of spring, is around the corner. Cheers!
Mustard Flowers
The yellow mustard flowers that come up after a good dose of winter rains have out done themselves, and I know I’m grateful. This year can really use the bright spot, and in the bright yellow waves that’s literally what they are around wine country right now. Great time to just take a drive and enjoy. Here are a few photos:
Clearing Brush
Happy start to the week! We’ve been clearing brush, taking care of the land, and enjoying the view we create. Here are a couple photos:
Home Garden: Blueberries!
We had the good fortune of coming across and advertisement for mature blueberry bushes for sale. Sonoma Swamp Blues of Sebastopol is going out of business and selling their 15 yr old bushes, by the bush. You can go dig them up (as we did) or order them online and pick them up ready to go.
There are small, medium, and large varieties. We opted for the medium variety blue jay. So exciting! It’s hard work, and we definitely have an advantage with an expert plant person in the family, but we are all so excited to see the literal fruits of this labor. If you’ve got some space, you should really check out this rare opportunity.
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!
New Vineyard Installation
We broke ground this month, installing a new vineyard. Our hard work paid off and showed in the details of the infrastructure. We enjoy exciting new projects like these.
Here are a few photos from the project:
Pruning Season
Some of the most important winter work is pruning - setting the next vintage up for success with expert cuts to the canes priming the plant for growth and grapes. Out with the old cut canes. For some of our clients, we also paint/seal the cut ends especially during this rainy season.
Burning the Burn Piles
This past week, before the warm weekend weather and wind forecast, we were able to help out on a few burns. Burning the burn piles we’d created earlier; clearing out brush, and keeping the land clean. Here are a few photos:
A little rain, hopes for more
This week we had a few days of rain. A few good soaks, puddle jumps, cozy evenings, and bejeweled plants. As we kick off the pruning season… a few photos from out and about this week:
Happy New Year!
Our favorite instagram post of 2020 was this photo from bud break. Fitting for New Year’s; there’s hope and excitement with the start of a new vintage. We wish you all the best for this coming vintage and look forward to what it may bring. Cheers!
Early Morning Visitors
When you’re out and working at dawn, sometimes you get to see animals that usually aren’t out during the workday. This weekend, we saw these deer visiting the field.
Clearing Brush
Here are a couple photos from last week - clearing brush, making head way, getting ready for the rainy season, and being mindful of the fire season. First photo is before, second is after at the same location/spot.
Signs of fall
With the grapes in, and mostly cut from the vines, we’ve started seeing signs of fall in and around the vineyard. The leaves are turning yellow to red to brown and falling to the ground. The nights and subsequent mornings are crisp and cold instead of just cool and foggy.
Last Pick of 2020
Harvest 2020 with all its epic circumstances has concluded. The grapes are in! and we can turn our attention to preparing for the next growing season.
Here are a few photos from our last pick of the season. Cheers!
Fire Clean Up
This week we helped a client clean up brush to keep their property clear and safer during the fire season. Let us know if you’d like help cleaning up your property.
Before…
After - brush in small piles, ready for the burn pile
Cactus Flowers
Well it’s not a direct vineyard update - but we witnessed this awesomeness right next to a vineyard in Northern Napa Valley. In addition to being grateful for fresh air and blue skies this past week, we had a chance to see these cactus flowers in full bloom.
