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Cook Vineyard Weekly Newsletter 6.18.12

Most of the vineyards have successfully gone through the flowering process (bloom). Even though it is early in the season it looks as if we have a great crop, quantity wise.

There are many factors that help ensure a quality crop, weather being the biggest. So far Mother Nature has helped in this process, but has a ways to go.

This time of year we are opening the fruit zone by removing the laterals (horizontal growth). This will allow the proper amount of filtered sunlight to be exposed to the grapes.  This also helps to create quality grapes.

June, July and August are normally hot months in the wine country and keeping the vineyards hydrated is always a concern. The rule of thumb is 8 gallons of water per established vine a week this time of year. There are factors like rocky soils that may need more and cases in the clay soils of being less. Overwatering a vineyard could lead to unwanted vigorous growth and under watering can lead to death of the plant or compromise its fruiting capability.

So how do we know when to irrigate and how much?

To the trained eye visually you can see the growing tip at the top of the vines. We monitor these tips and irrigate when they begin to stress (droop) due to lack of water. We also measure the water content in the vine with an instrument called a pressure bomb. Both processes help to ensure the proper amount of water.

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.