From Our Vineyard
Veraison is that much-anticipated event each year when the red grapes start to change from milky green to red/purple and the white grapes change from a milky green to a translucent amber. All grapes become softer to the touch. The acid in the grapes starts to decline at this time also. Veraison tells us that […]
Category : From Our Vineyard &Newsletter Articles
Our new leaf thinner handles both sides of a 500 foot row in about 3 minutes. The theory (which is as yet unproven) is that sunlight on the grapes will reduce the acid, develop the phenolics, and improve the flavor of the juice.
Category : From Our Vineyard &Newsletter Articles
This is the time of the season that we produce our first harvest estimates. We need these estimates to plan “crush” and to make sure we have enough tank space, enough of the right types of yeast, etc. This is a multi-step process, but the following provides a quick overview. The first estimate was prepared […]
Category : From Our Vineyard &Newsletter Articles
Flowering on the vines is about done and now on some varieties, we have actual grapes that are getting bigger by the day. So far, while we haven’t received much rain, we’ve also dodged the bullet with damaging hail. It is looking to be a good season. The tasks this week will include spraying of […]
Category : From Our Vineyard &Newsletter Articles
In the vineyards, the big job this week is to get our new leaf removal system mounted on a tractor and ready for a tryout. Now, you might wonder why we’d want to remove leaves when we are so dependent on them for the photosynthesis that feeds the grape and grapevine development. There is research […]
Category : From Our Vineyard &Newsletter Articles
We have some Foch rooted cuttings scheduled to arrive early this week. We will plant them as soon as they arrive. We will also be installing grow tubes and pencil rods on newly planted vines at Newport Lane. Our Marquette is growing on a vertical shoot positioned trellis and now is the time of year […]
Category : From Our Vineyard &Newsletter Articles
The path to harvesting grapes and making quality wine begins long before the wine is actually bottled for tasting and enjoyment. This past May, about 3,300 new vines were planted at three of the four Tassel Ridge® Winery vineyards—Maple Woods, Newport, and Tassel Ridge. With the planting completed, the four vineyards now include a total […]
Category : From Our Vineyard &Wine
The vineyard crew planted about 3,000 new vines last week. The biggest plantings were at Tassel Ridge and Maple Woods where we planted Petite Pearl, more Brianna, and more St. Pepin. We also planted Foch at Newport Lane. This week, we expect to receive about 55 vines each of Itasca and Verona which we will […]
Category : From Our Vineyard &Newsletter Articles
The vineyard crew started planting vines at Maple Woods on Monday. This involves drilling a 12-inch diameter hole about four feet deep with an auger. The person doing the planting kneels down and partially fills the hole with the dirt. He or she sets the extensive root system on top of the loosely pack dirt […]
Category : From Our Vineyard &Newsletter Articles
We expect to receive 4,000 rooted cuttings this week. Some are replacements for vines that died or developed other problems. We are adding to our Foch plantings and have removed Frontenac to provide space for them. We have more Frontenac than we need. About 2/3 of these vines will be used in new vineyard rows. […]
Category : From Our Vineyard &Newsletter Articles
