Bill Wathen takes us on another walk up to Tinaquaic Vineyard to see how things are progressing after a severe heat spike during bloom. Dick Doré joins us, talking about the economics surrounding dry farming.
As a printmaker, Karen Gearhart-Jensen is compelled to look at the texture and pattern of an object that catches her eye. Her enjoyment and growing fascination with the process of winemaking lead her to explore the ever-so-humble grape leaf.
Shortly after the grape cluster appears and grows a bit larger, which takes anywhere from three to eight weeks, tiny fragrant flowers appear all over it. This very important phase in viticulture is called “bloom.” Continue reading
The immature Pinot Noir cluster emerges from the bud. “Pinot” refers to the pine cone shaped cluster seen here.
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.
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.
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, 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, owner of Clos Pepe Vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County, talks about transitioning into life as a wine farmer.
While enjoying your scenic drive through wine country at the peak of grape growing season, you may only notice the full leaves and the beautiful fruit on the vines. But when the vines go dormant, their basic anatomy is revealed to the interested onlooker.