Over the years, you have heard me mention the weather almost constantly. Well, here is some more. After a winter filled with rain and a cooler spring than normal (June gloom), it has warmed up, and hopefully, we are headed for something close to normal.

I thought I left the heat behind 50 years ago when I moved from Delano in the San Joaquin Valley to Santa Maria. We are right in the middle of a major heat wave, which can be detrimental to grapes.

This year’s high amount of rain has been great for the vineyard. It helps cleanse the soils and gives us reserve water for irrigation.