2005 SEASON

In Season 2005, the sixth leaf, fourth harvest, the vineyard was pruned much as it was in 2004. Fruiting canes were cut to 28 buds for a theoretical yield of 3.5 tons/acre.

First buds appeared March second, as expected. Between rain storms, the vineyard canopy spray program, mowing and weed management, Nunes became a tractor-bound night creature while the two-man crew continuously traversed vineyard blocks, shoot thinning and positioning, adjusting wires.

After the rainiest May ever, through an extended bloom period so long you'd swear this was Zinfandel, small bunches formed, differently in every block

July 6, four days later than 2004, the first of veraison showed in Florida and Oak Tree blocks, and progressed slowly through the vineyard. With shoot growth stopped, and canes turning brown, the three driest blocks were irrigated July 12 to be sure remaining green leaf margins continue to expand, through to harvest. All blocks but one followed suit.

August found the crew chasing birds, and Nunes monitoring the vineyard and planning for harvest. The weather was perfect from June on, sunny and cool.

Harvest began at one in the morning September sixth, with four boxes. All systems tested and ready, it continued full speed through the next seven days. Two blocks hung through the foggy mornings and cool sunny afternoons until September 20th. A perfect Russian River Valley harvest.

2005: Over sixty days on the vine from veraison to harvest—long hang time early. Nunes picks by taste, but all numbers came in on target.

Harvest Photos

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Spring Weather  — Out the office window looking West

New berries  — Three Oaks  Block, Clone 777 in June

Veraison — Geyser View Block, Clone 777, July 19

Home Block — Clone 114, August 8