Yesterday afternoon, Tasha and I walked by the vineyard parcel out back that's being re-planted. It's only about half done. Work will probably resume on Tuesday, this being another three-day holiday weekend (Pentecost). There's a metal thing in the ground next to each new vine. I don't know what they are (maybe support stakes?), but I saw them being installed by hand earlier in the day. That's a lot of work!
You can see who I believe to be the vigneronne (grower/winemaker) driving a mowing tractor in the background. She's the latest (forth generation, I think) in the family to take up the business. She did her university work in grape growing and wine making, if I'm not mistaken. We still see her parents around now and then, but much less than we used to. Grape growing is hard work!
It's amazing how much of the work still has to be done manually. We had an acquaintance at Berkeley with a vineyard in Napa, as a hobby he thought. He had to put so much work into it that he decided to try and start a new career. I think he was successful.
ReplyDeleteThe grape vines seem to be planted close to each other. Is that an optical illusion.
ReplyDeletePutting those stakes in must have been back breaking!
ReplyDeleteBettyAnn
You definitely need some rain soon. I hope the vines do well.
ReplyDeleteEvelyn
Now that's a view we don't always get!
ReplyDeleteFascinating! Mostly to know how anyone have vision which varieties to plant for the tastes people want in the years it takes the vines to grow to maturity.
ReplyDeletemitch, reminds me of an old joke from California: How do you make a million in the wine business? Start with five million.
ReplyDeletechm, yes, I think it's an optical illusion.
bettyann, they have swivel chairs on wheels to make it easier.
evelyn, they can water the vines (they use big tankers) at this stage. Once they start producing fruit, no more watering is allowed.
judy, :)
michael, in France, what variety can be planted where is strictly controlled. In our area, only three red varieties are permitted: cabernet franc, côt (also called malbec), and gamay. White is mostly sauvignon. Other varieties are allowed for blending.
I've heard tell thems in France in the wine industry feel stifled by strict laws to what they can do; it gets in the way of keeping up with people's tastes and wants.
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