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Cook Vineyard Weekly Newsletter 2.20.12

We are about a month away from bud-break in Carneros and parts of Sonoma Valley.

It is always hard to predict the actual time when the vines will begin to emerge. Our prediction is the Chardonnay will be the first to emerge about the same as last year March 15th to March 21st.

Bud-break is a process that can be tracked daily in the field. First the tight buds will begin to swell and there will be popcorn like fuzz on top of the bud. This is followed by a hole developing in the center of the bud where green tissue will begin to sprout. This process can take a week or so.
For those of us who have frost protection need to decide when the buds are vulnerable to a potential frost. In most cases we begin to monitor the frost alarms when the bud is swelled and a hole is developing. During a frost event we will turn on the fans at 34 degrees.

If we have an early bud-break in a vineyard that does not have frost protection we apply oil (Frost Shield) to protect the vines. If anyone wants information on this product we can be contacted at 707.490.8921 or ask your PCA.

If anyone wants to visit us in the vineyards to learn more about the world of viticulture, Please call us at 707.490.8921. Also check our website  www.cvmgrapes.com.