Bud break

In the past few weeks, there have been exciting signs of the arrival of spring in our vineyard. It is the time when grapevines "bleed", a moving sight in the whole of their growth cycle. This "bleeding" is a signal that the period of winter dormancy is over and that the vine is gradually coming back to life. Bleeding marks the start of bud break in vines when the plant re-triggers its activity from its root system.  

Yesterday, there were clear signs of bud break or bud burst on all but the Albarino vines, which remain fairly dormant if they are still alive. I would classify 9 April as the official day for bud break this year. 

In 2022, It occurred on the 7th of April. 

Albarino just maybe seeing bud burst

 

These are three different Albarino vines that are alive and what their buds look like. They are just barely bursting. Quite a few look dead, really dead. I am very disappointed with the Albarino. I really thought it would be our ticket. 

Meanwhile, the Rondo and Solaris are leafing with gusto. And the Pinot Noir is looking quite happy. So I can't be too disappointed as we'll still have an interesting harvest this year, I hope. And I'm hoping for a bumper crop of cherries and other fruit, too. 

Pinot Noir

Rondo

Solaris

Cherry

What a day for a bud burst!

Magical Clew Bay

It's gorgeous out at the moment. We're just getting over Covid, and it's a perfect spring day. I was able to walk to the top of the farm without a problem, so I'd say I'm pretty clear of debilitating symptoms. Ghosty walked all the way up with me without complaining. She loves this weather, too. Her whiteness really stands out up here. The northerly gales we had this year really did a number on the shrubs at the top and most of the gorse died back. I'm glad the vineyard is south facing and protected. 

On the way down, I inspected the vines and noted bud burst on both the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but not on the Albarino. I was, however, gratified to see that most of the Albarino vines seem to be alive. Why they are so slow to get going I don't know. 

Pinot Noir

Chardonnay

Albarino

6 yo Solaris

6 yo Rondo

4 yo Solaris

The orchard has come alive, too, with the pears and cherries in bloom. The apples, plum and peach are just starting to think about it. But the fruit trees in the polytunnel are cranking. I'll have three peaches this year, and a mango finally germinated! Very weird-looking plant. The avocado is growing well, the second peach and the apple are flourishing, and the lemon and orange trees are flowering like crazy. The kiwis are growing fast as is the grapevine. Can't wait. So promising. 

Maggie

Fogbank in the distance

Yea, the final bud burst today!

I've been walking the vineyard daily, sometimes twice daily, on the lookout for bud burst among the Albarino vines, the last holdouts. Given that the Rondo burst on the 5th of April, and the Chardonnay 5 days ago, I was getting a bit anxious. Now, the buds are quite small and not all the vines made it through their first year, but there's plenty to be hopeful about. Multiple buds on multiple vines all showed signs of waking up. I am jazzed. 

One vine lost in year one. One other iffy. 

And, of course, I had an escort or two. 

And just for good measure, here are some bees. 

Vineyard cats

Her Ghostliness getting a better view. 

Every day, Ghost and I visit the vineyard to see what has come alive. We are eagerly awaiting bud burst of the final varietal, Albarino. Sometimes, Cinco and or Louise come along as well, meandering through the tall grass. 

So far, the bud burst has been remarkably early compared with last year. Here's the score:

• CHARDONNAY: 13/4/2021
• SOLARIS: 9/4/2021
• PINOT NOIR: 7/4/2021
• RONDO: 5/4/2021

I've been dutifully reporting it on the UK Vineyards Report only to learn that they are not tracking it this year. Oh well. 

Louise and Ghost on patrol

Cinco likes to just hang out

Today, Solaris has burst

 

Today, multiple buds on multiple Solaris vines have burst into action. I do not understand it as it's been quite cold. What is it that triggers bud burst if not temperature? I hope we don't have to resort to frost mitigation. 

No sign of activity on Chardonnay or Albarino vines yet. And the albarino has the tiniest of buds. 

Still waiting for Albarino bud burst