2010- Summer in the Vineyard
"Watch what you pray for... your prayers may be answered." After two straight years of below average rainfall and talk of drought, the late winter and spring rains more than made up the rainfall deficit.
That was the good news. The cold, strong rains continuing well into May made for many challenges in the vineyard. The vines grew with incredible exuberance, as did the weeds. Fungus diseases like botrytis, phomopsis, and mildew flourished with all the extra rainfall.
The winds and cool temperatures affected the vines bloom and fruit set, causing smaller and looser bunches of grapes (which could possibly mean great quality...). After many additional hours (and dollars) spent controlling weeds, fungus diseases, and the extra vine vigor, the vineyards are going into midsummer looking pretty good.
The crop might be a little light, but with harvest looking to be a bit later than usual, that might not be a bad thing.
Every vintage has its own unique challenges. The 2010 vintage still has a long way to go before we can write its history, so stay tuned. My hope is that with all the drama experienced in the first half of the growing season, the second half is downright boring.
- Fred Peterson