The immature Pinot Noir cluster emerges from the bud. “Pinot” refers to the pine cone shaped cluster seen here.
INSIDE THE VINE : Wine Grape Cluster
Bud Break
Ryan Carr: Carr Vineyards and Winery
Ryan Carr of Carr Vineyards and Winery admits to some early mistakes he made when planting wine grapes in Santa Barbara County and the one grape that best describes who he is.
Preparing for a Drought Year
As the grape growing season kicks off, Winemaker & Viticulturist Bill Wathen takes us up to his Tinaquaic Vineyard, one of the only dry farmed vineyards in Santa Barbara County.
UP CLOSE: Bud Break – The Bud Emerges
This photograph depicts the bud at the very beginning of bud break, when the first leaves enclosing the tiny bud have just begun to unfurl. The fuzzy leaves help to protect the fragile immature cluster from frost and disease.
Michael Larner: Larner Vineyard and Winery
Michael Larner of Larner Vineyard and Winery tells us about how he deals with Nazi gophers and how the new Ballard Canyon AVA is like giving birth to a third child.
INSIDE THE VINE: Emerging Buds
After the growing season has ended and the vines are bare and dormant, they need to be carefully pruned in order to sustain the life of the vine and ensure the production of another harvest.
Karen Steinwachs: Buttonwood Farm Vineyard & Winery
Karen Steinwachs, winemaker at Buttonwood Farm Vineyard & Winery, speaks candidly about her winemaking philosophy and what it’s like being a female winemaker in Santa Barbara County.
Steve Pepe on Frost, Farming and Running a Small Vineyard
Steve Pepe, owner of Clos Pepe Vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County, talks about transitioning into life as a wine farmer.
TIME LAPSE: Bud Break
Bud break signals the beginning of the 2014 vintage as dormant vines awaken. With the help of Wes Hagen, we selected an ideal Pinot Noir bud to focus on for one week, capturing an image every three minutes.