Maintenance
Today we will take advantage of the warm weather to start up the tractors. Equipment maintenance is not an especially sexy topic, but it is a critical part of any farming operation.
Read MorePruning Completed
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Read MoreOld Vine, Young Vine
The next few days may be warm enough to stimulate bud break in our young Chardonnay vines. But old vine Chardonnay buds remain tight and unconvinced about this early spring.
Read MoreLinden’s Climate Change Variety Trial Vineyard: Part II: Reds
Our first plantings include mostly late to very late ripening varieties …
Read MoreLinden’s Climate Change Variety Trial Vineyard: Part I: Whites
After almost two years in the planning stage, we will plant the beginnings of Linden’s Variety Trial Vineyard.
Read MoreCabernet Franc
As is often our habit, yesterday’s lunch was accompanied with a wine from our “mystery wine” cellar.
Read MorePotential
Tenacity is an important attribute of any winegrower, but this is especially true when climate change challenges normal expectations.
Read MoreBittersweet
This could be the last week of pruning therapy. There is no better satisfaction than this slow, methodical vineyard work on a warm early spring day.
Read MoreMistakes
The most valuable lessons come from mistakes. In the cellar the learning curve is quick, consequentially the next vintage’s wines improve. Unfortunately, …
Read MoreSoil Matters
Pruning affords the opportunity to take stock of each vineyard block. Each vine is addressed, assessed, and shaped according to its vigor and form. Yesterday we pruned the “Five Rows” block of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Read MoreInspiration
Yesterday was a dismally grey, rainy day. No pruning, no energy, no enthusiasm. We decided that Riesling would brighten our spirits.
Read MoreLong Term
Yesterday we completed pruning the 2003 block of Cabernet Sauvignon here at Hardscrabble. Our vine blocks are designated after the year they were planted. I was in an experimental mode in 2003.
Read MoreLunch
Tasting wines objectively is impossible. Tasting wines blind closes the subjectivity gap.
Read MorePilgrimage
Yesterday I took advantage of the quiet to make my sometimes-annual trek to the slave cemetery. I discovered it decades ago by chance.
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