July 16
With fires blazing all around Northern California we feel blessed that none of our vineyards have been affected.
June is the month of the most significant growth in the vineyard. The shoots have grown to 80% of their length and the berries, while still green, are beginning to plump up. We are now at the critical point of making sure the canopy is open enough to allow light and air through without over exposing the grapes. At the same time the leaf water potential (the measure of suction in the plant) is measured at regular intervals so as to gage how much water the vine needs. Too little water and the vine will not be able to mature the berries; too much and the quality of the fruit will be compromised. With the arrival of the summer hot spell this can be quite a balancing act for the viticulturalists.
Meanwhile back at the winery preparations for harvest are in full swing. At Twomey in Healdsburg, Cabernet tanks are being removed to make room for smaller, open top Pinot Noir tanks. A new catwalk and a new punch down system will be installed as well. The existing equipment will be inspected to make sure it is operational and everything is cleaned from top to bottom.
At Twomey in Calistoga the winery is also undergoing a thorough inspection. Updates and repairs are being made before harvest and the whole winery is scrubbed and sterilized from top to bottom. Pretty soon we’ll be ordering supplies and reviewing the harvest protocol as well as hiring our harvest interns.
~Christina Pällmann