The work isn't done!

THE WORK ISN'T DONE YET!

Last night we were finishing up our vineyard operations. 

A vital part of our sustainable agriculture is composting.   We had about 18 truck loads of Horse Manure delivered to the vineyard last spring.   We turned it and added a bit of Love.   Yes, this is the heart beat of our vineyard.  Some of the chemicals that we use to protect the grapes damage our soil.   Like it or not, it happens.  So to produce those amazing grapes, we need to make sure that the soil is retored.  

Restored with what?  Click the link below an learn more.

https://www.oursoil.org/restoring-long-term-soil-health-1809/ 

As you can see, there are benefits in composting.   Grapes that ripen earlier can produce better fruit, better uptake of nutrients which means healthier plants.   In Virginia, unlike California, moisture is a problem.  Disease presure is considerable.   So, to produce amazing wine, it only makes sense to shoot for healthy soil, which grows healthy plants, which grows beautiful fruit.   Then.....it's up to the wine maker. 

All of our grapes have had their dose of compost.   Startch is building in roots enabling a good startup in the spring.   They have spent 5 to 6 months of their life giving it all to these little baby clusters.  By the time we harvest, they are ready for the Spa treatment (composting).   

Our grapes are living plants and constantly changing.   It's up to us to make sure they receive the care they need to contine producing excellent fruit.

In a few weeks they will be dormant and the necessary startup for spring of 2021 will all hedge on our vineyard practices in 2020.