Champlain Valley - Grapemans' vineyard - Planting to small winery

[AlFulchino]

yikes thats expensive..i have not done any weed control as of yet....right now just letting them suck up any top soil mositure...i will be using makaze ( glyphospate) in the row...and then likely using a cultivator or rotovator in between rows...at some point..let me know how you like Matrix

congratulations on the media exposure!

 

[Wade E]

"That is a broad spectrum week killer safe for grapes". Does it take a week or only last a week or does it take a week to spray? Bet you didnt think I was watching this thread did ya? Just kidding, thats a lot of dough for just 15 ounces!

 

[grapeman]

I know I have been saying for quite some time I was getting ready to submit the paperwork for the Farm Winery license. Well it finally happened this AM. I got the last of the paperwork together, went to the post office and mailed the envelope off to the feds. Now it will be scheduled to sit on somebodies desk for two months until I give up waiting and call to check on it at which time the person will say"Yes, it's sitting here on my desk. I will check it right out"?

Then if all the paperwork is there and approved, I can move onto the state.............

 

[ibglowin]

Whoo Hooo!

 

[Runningwolf]

Good luck and wishing you a speedy reply!

 

[grapeman]

I'm making it official. I am calling Budburst officially here today- although some of them hit it yesterday. The record 84 degree temps yesterday pushed them to open in a big way. Today's 77 wasn't that far behind. This on top of snow least Tuesday and Wednesday! Many buds went from a half inch on Saturday to two inches today. Some of the young vines in the nursery grew 4 inches today! I guess I won't be planting them this year. Oh well they were on the small side. Another year will make them healthier in the end.

 

[Wade E]

Its about time you submitted that stuff you slacker! hehehe Good luck there my friend but Im sure youll do fine and if you send some of that wine to them as Blackmail youll have an even better chance!

 

[OilnH2O]

Really interesting, Rich, on these dates of "bud break!"

 

[AlFulchino]

congratulations Rich...all goes well then you will be licensed before harvest

say in touch w them...they are very cordial and very accomodating

 

[xanxer82]

Congrats Rich It's exciting to see people on here become "Official".
It gives me hope. Now I just need some suitable farm land and the $$$ to get it haha!

 

[grapeman]

After snowing on Mothers day, and having several freezes this last week, it has warmed up again. That is pushing the vines to growing pretty well and there is minimal frost damage in the main vineyard. My small one acre expansion vineyard doesn't look as well. They make me kind of ill looking at them. The upper 8 rows are at least half frozen and I'm hoping they grow back alright. The lower 2/3 of the vineyard looks alright with most of the vines pushing growth now. They are mostly St Pepin so they grow a bit later- not always a bad thing with late spring frosts.


I sprayed the complete vineyard this evening with two fungicides that cover different diseases. That will probably be the only spray before bloom in about 3 weeks, maybe a touch less. Early on, I skip rows so they are only sprayed once per row instead of hitting both sides like after more growth.


I felt a bit off yesterday, so I took it a bit easy. I only built a wall on one end of the winery, sheathed it and installed the entry door on that end. Everybody at home was feeling pretty crappy most of the weekend, so I didn't feel bad since I at least worked all day.


One of these days soon I will snag a few pictures of the vines to show their progress.

 

[Wade E]

Sorry to hear about the damage and stop slacking on that winery!

 

[grapeman]

I thought I would give a progress report with some pictures. I know probably everybody is getting sick of my pictures, but just in case anybody wants to see them here they are. They are taking off like rockets with temps in the 80's to low 90's for a number of days now.

I have babies too! Or at least buds!

Once I get the trellising under control I need to train the small vines to that. I also need to get a handle on the weeds- so to speak- maybe a hoe handle. UhOh, I can see the hoe jokes staring up again! Actually the weeds aren't all that bad. I am trying to get the alleys to growing grass so I have been letting the weeds grow. The act as a cover crop for the grass as it establishes unless they get too big.

 

[ibglowin]

I learn by studying these pictures!

They look great! Almost like distant relatives of sorts!

 

[AlFulchino]

same here...NO one is tired of seeing pictures..if they say they are then send them my way...i LOVE pictures...more so than most text....things will shape up Rich.......try spray..my tractor is in the shop..thank God its been DRY DRY DRY

 

[Wade E]

If I see another one of your pictures Why Im going to look at it! Looking good over there Rich.

 

[grapeman]

Dry? Dry? I don't know what you are talking about Al. We have had about three quarters of an inch of rain in May- actually that was mostly snow! The lawn is as brown as any mid-July in a dry year! I know I should spray for the weeds, but it wouldn't get into the ground without some rain.


Welcome to the desert Northeast.............

 

[xanxer82]

All the rain is down here in Maryland. Can't keep up with keeping the lawn trimmed.
Those vines look great Rich!

 

[Runningwolf]

I love the pictures. Same here with hte rain, I am cutting my grass every four days.

 

[ibglowin]

It rains at my house every other day from 5:00AM - 6:30AM!

At least this time of year.