Vine Views

Winemaker Smackdown!

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:16:56 +0000

Here’s Tracy posing for her Winemaker Smackdown photo. What’s a Winemaker Smackdown you ask? Well, it’s what happens when you get a really creative media and marketing guy from Roanoke Vineyards and you set him loose on the local wine talent. Scott Sandell began as (and still is) an artist, but he has more recently [...]

As Winter Ends…

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 14:39:05 +0000

It’s been a long winter here in Long Island. And all around New York. And, frankly, around the world (but I guess that’s always true). Here are a few points of emphasis: New York had the third snowiest season on record. And there’s a chance of accumulation in some areas later this week. After a [...]

How Wine Saved My Life

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:39:38 +0000

This headline may be hyperbole, but, depending on your view, perhaps not so much… A few weeks ago Tracy and I were vacationing in New Zealand. Our trip was split between four wine regions filling about half the trip and the other half focusing on New Zealand cultural and adventure activities. It was a totally [...]

Petiole Sample and Nutrients

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 01:21:38 +0000

Today was the day for application of organic soil amendments.  In addition to the drought this season, it turns out that my vines have quite a nutrient imbalance.  Even though my soil tested rather well, the uptake into the vines can be impacted by lots of other factors – including water (or lack thereof). Earlier [...]

Grape Ripening Update

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:07:38 +0000

Well, I thought I might get my first harvest this year (year 4) but, alas, it is not to be.  While “hot and dry” are great conditions for grape growing, “drought” is quite another story.  And an experienced vineyard manager with irrigation options can manage through a drought, but an amateur like me still has [...]

Natural Cork Ad Campaign

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:54:46 +0000

The NY Times has a great write up about a current ad campaign for natural cork.  The article titled “Ads Urge Wineries to Stick a Cork in It” really appeals to me since my day job is in advertising and, well, you all know about my crazy vineyard hobby. Basically, the Portuguese cork industry is [...]

New Threat: Hurricane Earl?

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:48:30 +0000

After seeing the storm forecast this morning, I began to get mildly concerned about Hurricane Earl.  But before I could post my feelings on this, I saw that New York Cork Report covered this topic – including a few winemaker interviews from the region.  This pretty much covers the concerns locally, but how about my [...]

Foodies: @4foodnyc Preview Meals

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:28:57 +0000

Foodies: if you are in or around midtown NYC, try to get yourself a preview meal @4foodnyc.  4food is a new restaurant opening in about a week with the tag line “dejunking fast food” and the place is decked out in technology and social media to make you Twitter-heads feel right at home. First, there [...]

Veraison in Merlot

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 02:54:35 +0000

Hedging the Vines

Sun, 08 Aug 2010 02:38:12 +0000

Throughout the growing season, the vines need to be trimmed back to assure balanced growth and kept vegetative vigor under control.  Hedging also promotes good air circulation and sunlight penetration.  Finally, it also allows for the best spray coverage.  Here are some photos of my hedging efforts:

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