August brings the sun

 

Rondo grapes developing nicely

After a rainy July, sun in August has caused everything to explode. The vines are growing like mad and needed to be tied up. We're using electrical tape to secure the main trunk to the sticks Alex 'planted' next to the vines. The idea is that by the time the sticks rot away, the trunks will be able to support themselves. That has proven true for the first ten. 

The grapes are fattening quickly, too.  At least the Rondo are. The Solaris don't seem to be doing as well this year. 

I thought the Chardonnay vines weren't doing well and we did lose one, but they are coming on better now. 

The surprises are the new vines. The Pinot noir are very robust but the Albarino are looking sickly. I couldn't identify anything specific but I suspect they are infected with a fungus. Very sad. I had such high hopes for them.

The weather is spectacular and we are promised a week of benign weather. Could it be true?  

Three-year-old Chardonnay on the right and Solaris on the left 

The vineyard cat, Louise, helping out in the shade

The 5-year-old section of Rondo (left) and Solaris (right), kite overhead doing its job

Lots of grapes. Will need to cut out some leaves tomorrow. 

Encouraging grape development

Pinot Noir on the right

Paco & Lola - a truly inspiring coop

We took the opportunity while sailing in Galicia to visit the Paco & Lola vineyards and winery which is only about 6 km from Sanxenxo which has a big marina. We tied Aleria up the night before, had a lovely meal in town with a delicious house Albariño wine, mussels, langoustines and oyster mushrooms fried in a light batter. We had an entertaining young waiter trying out his English to boot. Overall fun.

White Varietals and Choices

Swaths of Albariño vines on pergolas in Galicia

Unusual white varietals are making a comeback. Torrontes, Viognier, and Albariño are being brought back to life from ancient vineyards and making their mark as superb and lighter alternatives to Chardonnay (ABC?).

Progress in the vineyard

Not only are the grapevines leafing and flowering nicely, but also the development of the vineyard itself - the trellises and supports for the vines - is progressing at a rapid pace and we are preparing to construct the overhead pergolas.

Spring has finally arrived

Rondo is most advanced

After weeks of cold dry weather, a few days of sprinkles was followed by a week of fine warm weather over Easter. Finally, the vines were ready to burst forth. All have done so now. The five-year-old Rondo and Solaris vines have leafed. The two-year-old Solaris vines have leafed. The Chardonnays are just beginning. The Pinot and Albariño vines have started leafing, too. There is life in the vineyard, and the donkeys are back in the field next door. Alex is preparing to erect the first of the overhead trellises and he has bought a gate wide enough to drive a tractor through. Thinking ahead.