The stories behind the vines
A multimedia documentary that follows the 2014 wine grape growing season in Santa Barbara County, California, from bud break to barrel.
The films
Three short films follow the season. They were made for a national wine and film pairing tour, where audiences tasted the featured wines before and between the films.
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Part 1
February to March 2014, 10 minutes
Dormancy, an early bud break, and the first fears of frost.
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Part 2
April to June 2014, 11 minutes
Frost defence, a spring without rain, and heat spikes in a dry-farmed vineyard.
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Part 3
July to September 2014, 22 minutes
Ripening fruit, hungry birds, dropped clusters and an early harvest.
The season
125 days in the average grape growing season. 1 day to screw it all up.
Whether deluged, drought-stricken, or subject to frost or heat spikes, each vintage holds its own set of challenges, and 2014 was no exception. Five phases of the vine, told in 36 stories.
Dormancy
February 2014, 8 stories
When the vines go dormant, their basic anatomy is revealed.
Each grape vine includes three basic components: the cordon, the spur, and the cane.
Bud Break
March to April 2014, 9 stories
First come the buds … then come the anxiety attacks.
It only takes 15 minutes of below freezing temperatures to wipe out an entire crop, so wine farmers have a lot of sleepless nights this time of year.
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Time lapse
Bud Break
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Extended scene
Steve Pepe on Frost, Farming and Running a Small Vineyard
- 23 minutes Karen Steinwachs Audio interview Buttonwood Farm Vineyard & Winery
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Inside the vine
Emerging Buds
- 20 minutes Michael Larner Audio interview Larner Vineyard and Winery
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Up close
Bud Break – The Bud Emerges
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Extended scene
Preparing for a Drought Year
- 29 minutes Ryan Carr Audio interview Carr Vineyards and Winery
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Inside the vine
Wine Grape Cluster
Flowering & Fruit Set
April to June 2014, 9 stories
April showers bring on the flowers (or not).
Tiny buds open into miniature white flowers, but anything could happen to prevent them from becoming berries.
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Up close
Bloom
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Leaf love
Grenache Blanc
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Extended scene
Heat Spikes Hinder Bloom at Tinaquaic Vineyard
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Up close
Fruit Set
- 23 minutes Jonathan Nagy Audio interview Byron Winery
- 29 minutes Bill Wathen & Dick Doré Audio interview Foxen Winery & Vineyard
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Extended scene
Jonathan Nagy Explains Vertical Shoot Positioning
- 24 minutes Wes Hagen Audio interview Clos Pepe Vineyard & Winery
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Extended scene
Historic Drought Hurts Dry Farmed Vineyards in California
Veraison
July to August 2014, 5 stories
Ver/ay/shun. Hard to say, but cool to see.
During veraison, grapes gradually soften and change color as they ripen.
Harvest
August to September 2014, 5 stories
Lights. Camera. Action.
The vine’s grand finale means working 24 hours a day for the wine farmer.
