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
