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Canopy Mangement: Farming for Flavor
The old saying that “wine is made in the vineyard” is perhaps never more accurate than when it comes to managing the canopy — or green foliage — of a grapevine. Canopy management, a series of viticultural practices that occur between budbreak (in early spring) and veraison (mid-summer), is one of the winegrowers’ most powerful tools. By precisely controlling the amount of air and light that circulates and surrounds a grapevine, growers can affect photosynthesis, vine vigor, fruit development, and ripening, which in turn profoundly influence the character of a wine.
Farming The Soil
Although harvest is one of the most exciting times of the year in the vineyard—signaling the culmination of a growing season and the anticipation of new wines— what happens on the ground after harvest is equally important. It sets the stage not only for the coming growing season, but for the health of the vineyard itself, and ultimately, the quality of future wines. "At harvest we’re farming the vine; immediately after harvest, as the vines enter dormancy, we farm the soil," says Vineyard Manager Kirk Grace.
Vintage 2006: The Beginning
Coming after last year’s unusual growing season with its abundance of spring rain and a very large crop size, we have for 2006 what is already shaping up as another atypical year for the Napa Valley.
Sculpting the Vine: To Build Great Wine
Each January, our vineyard crew returns from their holidays anticipating the pruning season. Marcos Guzman, Salvador Solario, and Jesus Valdez stand in the leafless vineyard, arms folded, breath steaming in the cold air. As the men look out over the bare vines, each wearing his pruning shears in a sheath, the importance of their job is on their minds. Soon, they will begin pruning and shaping the vines to restrict vigor and create balance, setting the stage for ideal growing conditions.
A Question of Balance
As we prepare for harvest in the vineyard, we are trying to achieve balance in our vines. Vine balance occurs when a vine has reached the optimal leaf canopy size to ripen the fruit it carries. Each season contributes its own unique influence on vine balance. Vineyard design, which includes row orientation, type of trellis system, and spacing decisions, as well as soil types and climate, all influence the potential balance of the vine.
Community
“Just opened a bottle of 1978 Cabernet Sauvignon last night, pulled from a friends cellar a generous friend, I might add. The cork broke and the initial pour was questionable. Within fifteen minutes, the second pour was a revelation, with a dark, black fruit nose mingled with olive tapenade and spice. The palate was strutting a lush mouthfeel and plenty of fruit. This wine caught everyone by surprise, and was a joy to consume. At 13 percent alcohol, this wine still has a life ahead of it. ”
“We drank the Fay Block 7 from the May (wine club shipment) and felt it was one on the best Napa Cabs we have ever had!
Editor's note: This wine is only available to wine club members and guests of the winery.”
Auctions
South Beach
Wine & Food Festival
Silent Auction
- Miami, FL - February 25, 2010
Sotheby's New York
- March 20, 2010