Vineyard From the Beginning- Grapeman

[mgmarty]

Inspiration for me. Your work makes my 72 vines seem pretty easy.

 

[srcorndog]

What type of post are you using are they locust post?

 

[grapeman]

The posts are Eastern White Cedar. Black locust lasts longer, but the cedar goes for around 20 years. We have a lot more cedar on the farm than locust, so we chose that. We have used around 650 of them in the last couple years and another 350 a few years ago.

 

[grapeman]

We have been busy getting the posts straightened up and backfilled. Then the wires were run- about 6 miles altogether. Then we installed larger bamboo poles and have been training the vines to the bamboo and trellis. Been trying to get it mowed as we get the vines out of the old grass and off the ground. Here are a few more pictures.

 

[mgmarty]

Six miles of wire. Wow! Looks nice



Baco Noir and Seyval Blanc in Utah

 

[Runningwolf]

Rich that looks awesome. Nice to be able to get back in the vineyard with some decent weather.

 

[spaniel]

Wow, amazing, so much work. I hope your production and sales are set to keep up with the output!

 

[ibglowin]

What a difference a year makes! Looks fantastic.

 

[grapeman]

The last of the vines went up on the stakes and wires today! Time to celebrate! I went out this evening and was able to put on a spray over the entire vineyard for the first time this year. There is a bit of disease in there so I was sure to get a good coverage by double spraying and included a protective spray and one that helps combat an existing infection. Those rows that I took pictures of 10 days or so ago have growth up to 3 feet now! I will get some pictures when I have some time in the day when it doesn't rain too much!

 

[grapeman]

Recapping a bit here.
From this:

To this:

To this:

And:

To this:

And soon more pictures showing more growth. This has happened over the course of just a little over 2 full years.

 

[WeimarWine]

Hoo-ray

Grapeman,

Thanks for the photo recap. Major accomplishment. Truly inspirational and beautiful to boot.

WeimarWine

Mike

 

[mgmarty]

Looks great. Love seeing pictures of vineyards! Am I the only crazy one?


Baco Noir and Seyval Blanc in Utah

 

[Runningwolf]

Thats awesome progress Rich, thanks for sharing.

 

[drumlinridgewinery]

Looks great

 

[OilnH2O]

The "recap" is a quick reminder of just how much work you've put in to this. It has been great to observe and you've really gone above and beyond in documenting it all. Thanks, Rich.

-Dave

 

[grapeman]

Here are those updated pictures

 

[ibglowin]

Are you sure these vines were only planted last Spring?

 

[grapeman]

Mike they were planted 2 full years ago. They were this big last year also, but without the trellis they tipped the bamboo over, the mice shredded many shoots over winter and they were a bi+ch to prune and train, but they are doing much better now. The larger ones on the right are Marquette, covered with blooms. I will leave some at least for now to tone down the vigor a bit. (sorry Mike I couldn't resist). Mine just recently bllomed, but they didn't freeze! I believe next year they will prune nicely and with any luck at all should bear about 5 to 6 tons per acre if we hold them back a bit.

 

[ibglowin]

OMG, I was going to post a pick of my marquette that I planted last Spring in comparison if those were only one year old vines… I only feel just slightly better as my now one year old vines are coming back strong and are now at almost a full TWO FEET TALL!

I should be up to 5 to 6 clusters per vine in 3 years or so!

I believe next year they will prune nicely and with any luck at all should bear about 5 to 6 tons per acre if we hold them back a bit…..

 

[peaches9324]

The "recap" is a quick reminder of just how much work you've put in to this. It has been great to observe and you've really gone above and beyond in documenting it all. Thanks, Rich.

-Dave

my words exactly! Just beautiful!