The second crop of Pinot Noir fruit is hanging ripe and heavy on the vines at Gantz Family Vineyards and last weekend, we were able to share the excitement of harvesting a portion of it with our nephew, Nick, and his lovely wife, Jeny.
Harvest: The Final Step of Our First Growing Season
Drilling a New Well at the Worst Time
Veraison: Step Six of Our First Growing Season
New Vineyard Expansion = More Quality Fruit
When we originally planted the back block on the vineyard (Block 5), Celeste was adamant about the balance between grape rows and open space. But after a few not-so-subtle hints from me, a few carefully-chosen words from our social media manager and the promise of a larger supply of quality Pinot Noir fruit (which appealed to her bookkeeping nature), Celeste relented. We've just finished planting a small addition to our Block 5 vineyard.
The Flowering of Our Fruit: Step Four of Our First Growing Season
A Video: The Value of Shoot Positioning
Bud Break: Step Three of Our First Growing Season
The first time I saw one bud open, on April 4, I was ecstatic. "We've got bud break!" I shouted. But Clay, ever the pragmatist, felt we couldn't "call" it until 50 percent of the vines showed leaves. From that first moment to the 50 percent mark was about an hour, it seemed. Suddenly the entire vineyard was a sea of green.
Pruning: Step Two of Our First Growing Season
Our Hopes for Our First Growing Season
In 2009, Celeste and I found a bit of property off Laguna Road with an old farmhouse overlooking an empty field, untended fruit trees and a kiwi grove running wild. Even then, standing under the five towering redwoods that spoke of the property’s history, we felt the tingle of potential. This year, we will see that potential realized. After a year in the greenhouse and two years in the field, our 3.75-planted acres of vines will finally bear fruit that will be sold to a winery.