July 2011: Mounds Broken Down

After some 11 weeks in the ground, the mounds that originally covered the vines are broken down by hoeing.


Each vine now stands tall and independent.

July 2011: This place looks more and more like a vineyard!

The young vines have been thriving in the summer warmth, and look healthy in their new home.

June 2011: Vines at One Month

The vines have been in the ground for one month and now have several inches of growth.



Meanwhile, Winemaker Tom Dehlinger (above) lends the vineyard staff a hand by spading weeds in the middle of the new vineyard rows.

May 2011: Buds burst under the soil surface

Still under the soil, the tender buds have pushed and have begun to grow. This photo was taken after uncovering a rooting. Look closely to see the pale, young buds

7400 Plants in the Ground

Thank you to everyone who helped get them there!

May 2011: Planting Rootstocks

The dormant 420A rootstocks for our vineyard come from the nursery in large bins.


Before planting, the roots are trimmed and the vines are soaked in water for several hours.

A hole is dug for each vine, and each vine is planted by hand.


The vines are then mounded over with several inches of loose soil to protect the fragile buds before the shoots emerge.

April 2011: Final Land Prep and Vine Position Layout

After over two years of fallow, the end is in sight! To prep our 4.7 acres for planting, the land is mowed, spaded twice, and disced smooth in two directions.

Vine positions are first located using plastic knives....


...then established with rebar.