Not much change.
Our Cabernet Sauvignon cluster hasn’t changed much. This is very good news. The berries remain small.
Read MoreVine Aeration
Last week we finished aerating the last block of our vineyard. Aeration refers to removing (by hand) any unwanted shoots, leaves, or side shoots (laterals) that block air flow and light from getting to the clusters. This is a very time consuming, meticulous task. It improves both fungus disease prevention and wine quality.
Read MoreSo far, so Dry
The personality of vintage 2024 is starting to unfold. It is dry. Less than an inch of rain fell in June.
Read MorePea-sized
Hardscrabble’s Cabernet Sauvignon berries are now pea sized. We haven’t had any measurable rain for several weeks. Dry soils may be slowing down berry size development which would be good for the quality of the 2024 vintage.
Read MoreRodaro Malvasia 2020 Fruili Italy
At the end of the day in Linden’s tasting room we finish with a staff tasting of a mystery wine. Linden has a selection of wines from all over the world. At the end of the day a wine is chosen by a staff member. The bottle is bagged, hiding its identity. We taste, we discuss, we debate and then unveil.
Read MorePeppercorn
Our Cabernet Sauvignon cluster now has berries at the “peppercorn” stage. Winegrowers make food comparisons to berry size (pea sized coming soon, then garbanzo bean). Viticulturalists (grapevine scientists) communicate size in millimeters. Winegrowers have more fun.
Read MorePost-Bloom
Every week through mid-August I will post an incredibly boring or most enlightening missive on the development of one Cabernet Sauvignon grape cluster. It depends on your level of interest. Mine is quite high which is why I’m doing this.
Read MoreBloom Update
Weather conditions for bloom have been variable. Last week when Chardonnay was in full bloom we experienced rain, fog, cool nights and some occasional sun. This may prove to be problematic.
On the bright side, this week and next look close to ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, the last variety to bloom.
Read MoreSoggy May, But Vines OK
A damp May happens from time to time. The last one like this was 2018. While we have lost some work time in the vines (although rain gear is now always close at hand), the cooler weather has kept vines from growing excessively. But that will happen this coming week: sun, heat and plenty of soil moisture will keep us busy tying and positioning rapidly growing shoots to the trellis wires.
Read MoreDedicated to the Vines
Vintage 2023 Chardonnay Barrel Tasting
Linden Sauvignon Blanc | 4-pack
Read MoreShoot Thinning
“Green work” is the term winegrowers use to describe the hand work that is done during the growing season.
Read MoreBee Still My Heart
The French have a saying that the best thing to leave behind in a vineyard is a footprint. Good winegrowers walk their vines regularly. The technical word for this is "scouting". If a disease or insect infestation is caught early it can be mitigated. If boots aren't on the ground regularly it could be too late.
Read MoreSpotted Lanternflies have hatched
This week the Spotted Lanternflies (SLF) hatched. Tiny nymphs are crawling everywhere on the vines. They are actually kind of pretty. But they also suck. They feed on vine sap with piercing-sucking mouthparts. Because they are so small at this stage of their development they don't do much damage. At least that is what we are told by the entomologists.
Read MoreHot and Dry
Hot and dry is not normal for this time of the year. The vines are doing quite well with even growth, an abundant potential crop, and little disease pressure. But one can’t help from wondering how the rest of the season will unfold given the weather extremes of our new climate.
Read MoreChardonnay: Back to Basics
Chardonnay has been grown for over a thousand years in Burgundy. Its noble and revered reputation stems from three factors…
Linden Chardonnay | 4-pack
Village Chardonnay 2019 and 2020
Avenius Chardonnay 2019 and 2020
Cooper Season
Linden’s wines are aged in French oak barrels. The vast majority of these barrels are quite old and are therefore deemed “neutral” (after about 5 years of use there is no longer any detectable flavor coming from the oak). But every year we do purchase some new barrels to replenish those that are eventually taken out of service.
Read MoreBud Break kicks off vintage 2024
Bud break is our official start of the growing season. And it is happening right now. We are early by a week. The tender buds are now frost susceptible. This means that any early morning temperature below 29°F will reduce our yields. Meteorology has now regained more significance in our lives.
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