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. 

See the USA...

Rondo bud break

We took our first trip to the US in several years last week. Bizarre travelling again. Just 7 days but packed with activities, including renewing my US driving license, fixing a bank account's data and seeing the cherry trees in bloom in DC. 

Upon return, one of the first things I did was water in the polytunnel and check the vineyard. I was astounded at the changes since we left, despite some rather cold and blustery weather, with F11 wind last night. We flew in with 40-knot gusts buffeting the place but the pilots did very well. 

Bud burst with the Rondo is well underway. The Solaris is slightly behind, with the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir trailing well behind and the Albarino looking sickly. 

Solaris

Chardonnay

Pinot Noir

Albarino, but it's the only one

The fruit trees are well underway to flowering and leafing. Let the Spring begin. 

Cherry blossoms in the USA capital, Washington DC.

Happy Spring Equinox

Spring Equinox 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere was at 09:37 on Saturday, 20 March - today. And right on cue, everything started bursting at the seams. Every fruit tree except one hatched. The vines are getting ready but no bud break just yet. 

The weather has been fine and chores are getting done. Yesterday, it was hot and sunny. I spent the afternoon painting the wrought iron table legs and the temperature on the porch read 33.7C degrees in the sun. I was in a T-shirt, sandals and rolled-up trousers. Bring on the summer.