Winter 22 to harvest 23

[Obbnw]

This year I'm going to focus more on pruning, limiting yield, and aesthetics.

For me the vineyard year starts in November. We had a warm October and most of my vines never really went through fall. The leaves just froze on the vine.

November through February I try to mound the snow over the base of the grapes to save some of the grapes if we get a really cold snap. Theoretically we could get -10 to -15 temps although in my 25 years here the min at my house has been about -3, the record min for the city is -22F. So far (6 years) I haven't seen much winter damage, and then it seems like the first freeze does the most damage.

WSU has some interesting info on cold hardiness. Grapevine Cold Hardiness | WSU Viticulture and Enology | Washington State University I check it in October and spring to see potential damage. I'm not in Washington but the general climate here isn't too much different.

 

[Obbnw]

Did some winter pruning on 3 vines. I had a bad attitude about the work I was doing, then sun came out, and the vines were calling to me. It was pretty relaxing. I typically prune each vine twice in the winter, first prune is getting rid of most of the mess and doesn't take a lot of thought. I noticed a little more winter injury than previous years. The snow in the above picture has mostly melted but we are expecting another 8" this weekend. It has been a wetter than normal December.

 

[GSMChris]

That is one heck of a winter picture to this Coastal California kid….

I will say - I’ve experienced that attitude adjustment many times in the last year - something about being outside in a vineyard just wipes my negativity away.

 

[Obbnw]

This last storm has been quite warm, rain for the last 2 days, not a common thing here. Most of the snow has melted and washed away.

Trimmed a bunch more today. Still have about 8 vines left. The final prune in March is going to be hard. I really have a fear of over pruning.

It's nice to get rid of the "noise".

 

[Obbnw]

Beautiful day today, 55, sunny, perfect day to work on the vines. Finished pruning the tempranillos and extended the trellis up a couple of feet. Did a half ass extension last summer that failed, did it right this time.

Tomorrow I hope to finish pruning the malbecs.