Random thoughts of a vintner; so begins my posting of life in the vineyards and winemaking here on Lopez Island WA.
I hope to use this forum to share the everyday observations, trials, successes and all around interest of these endeavours. Life of a vintner is timeless, harking back to a simpler era, never-the-less it also interfaces with the modern world and is influenced by that world.
Today is a good example: I expected to spend the better part of the day pruning in the vineyard. This task must be completed before the buds begin to swell and thus is very time dependent. Better be done by March 1! And then there was the fine weather for it too: sunny and warm like January has been! I was looking forward to being outside.
However, there was all the calls, emails and decisions to make in connection with ordering a new labeling machine, working out a printer and new layout for the labels. All this is also time dependent and won’t wait! Finally, after 2 pm, I was on my way back to the vineyard. Paused on the way to taste our Madeleine Angevine. This wine was in the process of being transfered back to its neutral oak barrels. YES, it tastes good (even through my cold) and is that something I am very happy about.
Finally to the vineyard and began the meditative selecting and cutting. This is my favorite task of all the tasks I do; there are no phones, sales people or other interruptions. And, pruning is something I am good at, so it is fulfilling and easy. Sun shone down, even at its low angle of the season, warming me out of first my jacket, then my sweatshirt and hat. Pruning is the most critical of vineyard operations, it not only determines the coming crop for this year, but the shape of the vine and its fruitfulness for many years to come. Truly an ancient art. Here are a before and after photos.
There is a summary of a day, a start to this blog and now sleep well deserved.
Cheers, Brent Charnley
