Pruning

The weather has finally turned toward summer, days later than it reached the east and south coasts. While the farrier was with the donkeys, I finished pruning the row of Pinot Noir. A few of the vines are struggling but some are very vigorous with lots of flower buds. Let's hope they flower this week with the heat and set their fruit.  Whether or not they reach maturity and ripeness remains to be seen, but its very exciting. 

In addition, one Chardonnay vine has loads of tiny flower bud bunches. If they have flowers and sets, too, I'll be in heaven. I'll work on pruning the Chardonnay next. It's not doing as well as the Pinot Noir.

Meanwhile, southern Europe -- Spain, France, Italy and Greece are on fire, as is the US east coast. I'll never complain about the cool temps again. It was hot in the vineyard today. At one point, I could see the fog roll in over Croagh Patrick, low-lying at first, and then it obliterated the view of the Holy Mountain altogether. Never came our way.