Easter Weekend and more

Vineyard tour

Yesterday was Easter Sunday and, as we all were here for Meike's burial and life celebration on Inishdaff on Saturday, we decided to host an Easter lunch at our house on Sunday. The Grassmann's from Germany, the Cummings from the US, and Michael, Kirstin and Cormac all joined us for the day. Naturally, we had to take them on a tour of the polytunnel, gardens and vineyard. The weather was on-and-off rain, so we took several runs at it, but finally succeeded in getting to the top of the hill for the view over Clew Bay. 

Saturday we were lucky as the rain held off and the fierce wind stopped for the boat trips out to the island. We walked with the small casket of ashes out to the point from where Peter and Cormac ferried people across the inlet to the island of Inishdaff. We had a beautiful ceremony with Siobhan Garrigan officiating. About 100 people came out for the commemoration and it was lovely. Des Cafferkey played the Uillean pipes and flute. Then everyone descended on Ross house for finger food and libations. It was a fitting party for an extraordinary woman.  Meike would have loved it all. 

Meanwhile, the Guardian reported that grapes are now being grown in Norway, which is way up there. If they can, then we certainly should be able to. It's interesting that there are so many coming to the same conclusions as we did. And they are doing research and learning very much like we are. It's fascinating to be part of this movement toward sustainable, climate-appropriate agriculture.  

One thing I had not quite twigged onto is that we, being at high latitude, have more daylight hours than many on the Continent. So what we lose in heat, we may be making up in sunlight exposure. This year will be a remarkable telltale year. The vineyard having been established in 2015 means that the first ten vines are now 7 years old, the more recent Solaris and Chardonnay plantings are maturing,  and we've learned a bit about vine management in the interim. I'm firmly convinced that there is no 'right way' and that making mistakes doesn't count - unless, of course, you kill the vines. 

So we plod along. 

Happy Easter!

Ciara, Josepha, Emma, Florian, Celine, Kirstin,
Alex, Cormac, Tyrrell, Christopher, myself and Michael. 

Inishdaff

Saturday on Inishdaff

The making of wine in Ireland's history

As I wait for the grapevines to become dormant in this very mild autumn, I ponder the next steps in our venture. We only had one cluster of grapes this year on the Rondo variety; they disappeared before we could taste them. I have been staking and tying the vines with old nylon stockings which are very gentle on the vines. I will prune judiciously for the first time when they lose their leaves. Meanwhile, I continue with my research.