Newsletter

News from the Vineyard The Vineyard is where all wine begins. Our vineyards well-being is of the utmost importance. So far, 2023 looks promising! Now let’s mention a few notes and a few jobs completed over the past year in the vineyard… Last year’s planting of Chardonnay was very successful, and again Thank You to all the volunteers and friends who helped plant. Our crew interplanted vines in the original 1982 Chardonnay rows, and planted five new rows on the adjacent sunny knoll. Almost all are now beautifully healthy plants up to the third wire. The Cabernet Franc received extensions on their posts in order to lengthen the canopy for additional ripening. This is the block by our parking lot…take a look next time you visit. Our Austrian varietals are doing well. The temperamental Zweigelt – our medal winner in Vienna, Austria – has resisted mildew so far this season

Fall 2024 It is the special season once again – Harvest! The picking lugs have been placed in the vineyard rows to receive the bounty and be taken to the winery. The heavily loaded trailers are pulled by the tractor to the crush pad. Before unloading, the overflowing contents of picking lugs are examined, gushed over, unloaded and then stacked. What a year it has been! We were spared from any spring frosts, had a promising bud brake, the spring and summer months were kind to the plants, severe weather eluded us. The summer heat was well received by the vines; they thrived as their long tap roots found sustaining moisture way inside the protecting soils of our Shenandoah Valley region. Our vineyards are truly magical: they produce bountifully; they are extremely beautiful, they are healing problems and soothing spirits, and finally reward our efforts with wonderful wine. When walking