Blogs

July, 2018

From the Ground Up
Today we are experiencing the first truly hot day of the year. At Valley View, it peaked at 106°F for a few minutes To me, the vines are a little behind schedule although, with warmer weather, we might catch up. Right now, we are expecting harvest to be late August to the first of September.
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The Valley View Vineyard scene

June, 2018

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

The grapes are in full bloom. The flowers have opened, and from the flowers will emerge the berries. This is a critical time in the vineyard.

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A photo of Royce and Louis

May, 2018

From the Ground Up
In our last newsletter, we were worrying about the freezing temperatures. Fortunately, the buds were not open and we came out of that in good shape. Since that time, we have had bud break. We had a couple nights of freezing temperatures. We had a few vines get nipped on the Goodchild Ranch and four acres of one of our Italian varieties took a pretty good hit. As we always say, in farming we live with the weather and it is a tremendous influence on what happens in the vineyards.
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A vineyard photo

April, 2018

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

Spring has sprung with a nice three days of rain which were badly needed. The rain really helps us for irrigation and frost protection purposes. All the vines have been pruned and tied and buds are beginning to open. It won’t be long before we are into spraying, shoot removal, and tractor work.

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A photo of Louis pruning vines

March, 2018

From the Ground Up
After a warm winter, March has come in with more than three weeks of freezing night time temperatures. We can be thankful that none of our buds have pushed. Otherwise, we would have some serious problems.
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Louis Lucas walking in the vineyard

February, 2018

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

We have been suffering from spring in January and we have reached the point of concern. This warm weather could hasten bud break before the danger of frost is behind us.

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Royce Lewellen and Louis Lucas checking out grapevines

January, 2018

From the Ground Up
Happy New Year! It is time to start all over again. Vintage 2017 will be another exceptional vintage.
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Louis Lucas giving an interview in the vineyard

December, 2017

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

The harvest is over, as well as the Harvest Party! It is time to begin all over again in the vineyard. Our Italian grape harvest went well with cooperation from the weather after the smoke from wildfires and a freak rainstorm.

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Louis Lucas in the vineyard

November, 2017

From the Ground Up
Just one more day and Harvest 2017 is over. To sum it up, crop was average in size. Quality of the grapes was exceptional, especially in Pinot Noir and Cabernet.
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Ian Fainer and Louis Lucas at a Vineyard Tour

October, 2017

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

We are nearly 75% of the way through harvest. So far, we’ve only had an inch of rain, two heat waves, two fires, and a near frost. Thankfully, the weather was good before and after each of those events so, believe it or not, everything is looking good in the vineyard.

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A photo of Louis Lucas

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