For those of you who aren't familiar with this project, it has been a dream of Dennis' for several years. However, it began to materialize about four years ago, when he charted the sun patterns, studied the plot drainage, did a lot of research and took classes, visited other vineyards, and began regularly having the soil tested.
Three years ago, he began to work the soil and blueprint the actual layout. Two years ago, he planted the infant vines, which resembled small, frail sticks. It was hard to imagine these unattractive little twigs would produce anything close to the knotted and weathered beautiful vines we had seen covering the hillsides of Napa Valley and Senoma, Italy and France. But Dennis never lost sight of his vision.
Over the next two years, all of the work was painstakingly done organically by hand. Weeds were pulled, cordons were hung, and massive rocks were drug down from deep in the woods to make the hand-stacked wall that will eventually surround the rows.
We have had our ups and downs. Last summer, we had a long dry spell, so much so that I had to string 300 feet of hose from the pump house to the vineyard and water the dry cracked earth manually. Then, this past January, we became concerned when we had three separate snowfalls, and the frail little vines were covered with snow and ice more days than not.
But somehow, these vines, whose heritage dates back to ancient times, had the strength to persevere. What we thought were harsh mountain conditions have turned out to be no match for this vegetation that has existed as long as modern man.
During this second year of growth, we will continue to prune the vines back, hopefully resulting in a more hardy grape in the third year, and allow the primary arms of the vines a chance to mature.
The few clusters of grapes you see below will be allowed to grow, just for samples. The others will be clipped away. But next year, baring any unforeseen circumstances, we hope for something like this on every vine.
The wonders of nature are astounding!
