Champlain Valley - Grapemans' vineyard - Planting to small winery

[swillologist]

George sent his heat up north. We are finally able to get in thegarden again and now it is so blazon hot you can get out. Well mother won't let me go out anyway. Did get the fall garden planted the other evening. We did that when it was a little wet. Didn't know it was going to stay awhile.
As far as the grapes go. I think the fungus has pretty well hammer the fredonia this year. It has worked on a few of the others but not as badly. I have got mother talked into letting me spray them some. That should help. If not for this year maybe for next year. Edited by: swillologist

 

[NorthernWinos]

Appleman....We sure can use some rain...seems the storms are all passing us by.....we get a little mist now and then...This morning the fog was so thick it was almost like rain, everything is dripping...freshens up stuff is about all.....

We have beautiful corn and soybeans plants....but we need rain to make grain....Wheat is getting ripe...Jim has to tune on his combine and get the AC working....then unfortunately he is going to have to do some work.

The garden could use some watering....but so far it is doing pretty good.

So it goes....Mother Nature rules.

 

[grapeman]

I would send you some rain guys if I could but it is hard tossing it that far against the wind, It keeps blowing right back at us. I dumped the 5 gallon bucket today I have had sitting on the deck for about 10 days. It was about 4 inches from the top. This is a 5 gallon joint compound bucket which the sides hardly slope on. It wasn't under eaves or anything- just in the open. I'm still in pretty good shape here since it drains well, but my brother's veggies are floating. They were trying to get cucumbers today and the ducks landed in the field near them. Enough is enough already!

 

[NorthernWinos]

I tallied up our rain for July to send to the County/State.....total...2.05"...
We had near ½" twice....the rest of it it came in 10ths of an inch....

So it goes.

 

[grapeman]

I am getting ready to post some flyers for grapes for sale this fall. What do you guys think of this? Will it get attention or should I change things a bit?

 

[Wade E]

Looks great to me Appleman, wish I was nearby to buy a share. Is it better to pick in the morning with grapes? If so what is it about the morning that makes it better?

 

[NorthernWinos]

WOW!!!!!!
Your going to have a good harvest....was wondering what you were going to do with all your grapes....

Now, I'm wondering what your going to do with all your money.....

 

[grapeman]

The idea of picking in the morning or even overnight is to get them while it is cooler so they don't start to ferment or break down on their own. Not usually a problem around here since by the time it is ready to pick them it isn't very warm at the height of the day. California and Texas that see lows of 80 are still 20 degrees hotter than here at midday in late September to mid October.


NW I would like to make wine with them all, but I don't have a Winery Permit yet. And as far as all that money, you farm, tell me where it will go

I do plan on making all I have room to.

 

[Wade E]

Are you looking to turn into a winery in the near future Rich? With all this experience I believe you are the most valuable asset to this forum.

Edited by: wade

 

[JWMINNESOTA]

Looks really good Appleman, heres hoping all your yield estimates are low, and the vineyard benefits greatly from the harvest this year! I to wish I was closer to enjoy a few fruits of your labor, you have truly done an outstanding job.

 

[AlFulchino]

fantastic....on average how many pounds per vine or clusters per vine are you pulling..if i recall correctly these are third year in the ground correct?


lastly what is the estimated dates for picking? you may wish to add a date range on the flyer for informational purposes

 

[grapeman]

Yes Al these are third year vines and have been very vigorous the whole time. I am cropping to the max on them to keep in check as much as possible without them suffering. Any vines lagging behind(and there are few) were thinned appropriately. There are 2 clusters or less on them per shoot.


I had thought of est picking dates, but there is a lack of room for too much and still keep it visible. I want them to call and come check them out instead. This is more to feel out the market than actually worry about selling them all. Better to experiment with a couple tons than 20 acres worth. If I don't sell any, I will make 200 gallons of wine for ourselves.

 

[AlFulchino]

"This is more to feel out the market than actually worry about selling them all."


That said it all...i understand....good thinking....my query was more just about the timing of when they could expect to pick up...your reasons supercede that for sure


i will tell you what...i am supposed to be coming up that way to help out at Willsboro if all goes right....could i set up something with you now and be your first customer? i could bring up some carboys.....

 

[grapeman]

Just PM me Al what you are interested in. I am going out now to get to work but will be checking in later.

 

[grapeman]

I got the Vineside Bird Netting finished putting on over the weekend on the VSP trained vines. I goes on fairly easily and the more I did the easier it was. Next up in a week or so I will apply the over the top 14 foot wide netting to protect the rest of the grapes.
We had another quarter inch of rain Friday evening, but the thunderstorm yesterday with the hail luckily missed us by a few miles. The side netting should give them some protection against that since it has a small opening in the weaving. The weekend was pretty nice overall, but I had to quit early yesterday for a barbeque at my sisters place right next door. Good time had by all.


I got some more trellis catch wires put up today and harrowed the middles again. That allowed things to dry up pretty well and they look in pretty good shape. I didn't get any pictures this time but will try to get some in a few days if the sun keeps shining.

 

[grapeman]

I got a few pictures yesterday. Things are moving along fairly well. I checked brix quickly on a few vaireties- namely St. Pepin, Frontenac and the Canadice Seedless. They are all in the 15-16 brix range- a bit higher than expected since we haven't had an especially warm summer.


Here is a picture of the side netting on some VSP Frontenac.

Here is Leon Millot

Some Catawba

A closer shot of Catawba

Two year old Traminette - excellent white wine.

Cluster Traminette- maybe a first taste of it locally?

An apple a day -How abouta Gala?

Edited by: appleman

 

[Waldo]

Looking mighty good appleman !!!

 

[Wade E]

Wow! I am so tempted to shoot down there appleman but its atleast a 6 hour drive but still very tempting!

 

[BonnieJoy]

Appleman - Your vineyard is impressive. If anyone can make the transition from hobby to business it's certain that you can. I agree with Wade, if I was just a little closer, I'd be in line with him to purchase some of your grapes.

 

[grapeman]

If anyone is interested, here is an article run in the local paper. It isn't all accurate, with some definite misquotes, but the author was sincere in writing it up. There might even be a picture or two of yours truly. Just don't blame me if your glasses break when viewing them. Never claimed to be a beauty.
http://www.pressrepublican.com/archivesearch/local_story_243201546.html


We got most of the rest of the vines covered at home today only two more rows of late ones left to do.