Flowering has Started

It's been a relatively normal spring for temperatures with May at an average of 13c and June on target to finish the month at around 15.6c-15.8c. That's pretty much centre target for our long term normals and the vines are growing well. 

The new "baby" vines are growing well and can be seen in the distance extending the old rows. Its 3rd year for them and many have already reached the top fruit wire and are expected to have some fruit this year.

This last week we were looking at the weather data and extrapolated when flowering might occur and we figured 60-80% flowering in and around July 1-3rd based on our historical climate-flowering records.

This is good, we really need to be flowering around then, or earlier, as our season generally ends with frost the first week of October.

So in a normal year that gives us a good 90-95 days to get the grapes to ripen to harvest. We often go mid to late October before frost but we count on early October frost. That's taking it to the limit for varieties like Marechal Foch.

As of June 25 we are seeing all varieties at the front end of flowering and with decent weather this week we should be past half way flowering by July 1st. 

A bit of a surprise is how prolific with flowers most of the vines are. With the severe cold last winter I was expecting more primary damage but its not nearly as nasty as what I was expecting. They are all looking really good and hoping for warm weather through flowering and fruitset.

One observation is how many bees are around right now. We have white clover in every second row and the clover is in full bloom and irresistible to the bees. The vineyard is literally buzzing and this times we'll with the vines flowering this next week and we will see what the next few weeks bring...some photos...

Leon Millot

Marquette

Marechal Foch

L'Acadie Blanc

Castel

How Are Your Grapes Doing?

Typical question that comes up in conversation around the vineyard is how are the grapes. So far, so good is the correct answer for us right now..saying "right now" as there are so many stages of growth between now and harvest and potential pitfalls along the way - you cant really speak to a future state.

Last blog I wrote about the side by side difference between the row of Marechal Foch and Leon Millot. The photo below shows the Foch in the fore ground and Leon the next row over. The Foch was showing lots of buds pushing at this time and the Leon showed hardly any buds. Fast forward 2 weeks later and you can see in the next photo that the Leon is really pushing lots of buds now and catching up to the Foch - nice!

The Marquette came throught the winter well and should reach top wire this year and showing at least 2 flower clusters on each shoot. (photo below).

The Marechal Foch rows are looking good so far as well (photo below), most are in 4 leaf stage and on target for a "normal" spring. With average heat in June we should see flowering around the 24th of June.

The L'Acadie, Castel and Evangeline all took a bit of a hit this year. Castel the worst and requires some cordon and trunk re-growth. Having said that, they will all produce to varying degrees this year. 

Lots of snow still in the mountains yet, and really quite stunning this time of the year, with the green valleys - doesn't get old.