MCV FARM NEWS - 4.30.10 - Contingency Plan.

Morning Ya’ll,

     May is Rose’ month and we will be offering a pink flight at the vineyard. We will offer the Brut rose’, Bernie Rose’, and re-offer the Syrah Rose’.  The Syrah rose’ was offered two wine club shipments ago and we have some of this still available.  So, we will re-offer it for the flight.  However, any purchase of this rose’ is ONLY available to wine club members.  Current members and new members may purchase as long as it lasts!!!  We will also offer a sneak peak of the Five-o Rose’ and when the Syrah Rose’ runs out we will offer the Five-O in its place.  I spoke about the Five-O Rose’ last week so if you missed that email then give it a read as a refresher.

     I am looking forward to bottling the Five-O Rose’, but that darned volcano has caused havoc in the shipping industry.  My screw cap shipment has been delayed as a result of the volcano.  It really just shows how small the world is!  Everything is connected…

    In the vineyard Jim and the guys are drawing nearer to completing tying.  The cooler weather has been an ally in helping complete the job comfortably.  Early April was a bit scary for all vineyard managers as the early warmth meant an early bud break.  Early bud breaks in theory are great because this could lead to earlier ripening and harvesting, but other issues can arise with an early bud break.

     The most scary scenario is a Spring frost.  When the tender new bud growth comes out it is highly susceptible to frost.  Grape vines in general even with mature growth are highly susceptible to frost.  An early spring frost could cause severe damage to new bud growth.  However, Mother Nature has a contingency plan for these types of events.  The first buds that emerge are called primary buds.  If the primary buds receive damage mother nature has secondary and even tertiary (these come out after the secondary’s) buds ready to go.

     While it is just amazing that grape vines have evolved to handle many of the elements that exist in nature, the secondary buds are never as fruitful as the primary.  What this means is that the “secondary’s” will never produce the amount of fruit that the “primary’s” could.  So, a frost would automatically decrease the potential amount of fruit that the vineyard could yield.

     However, at this point in the year and looking at the extended forecast one would believe that the potential of frost damage is minimal at this time.  One would hope…  So, keep your fingers crossed and let’s get this Spring ball rolling and bring on Summer!!! WoRdD.

      Cheers Ya’ll,

             - Juan.

Juan Eduardo Micieli-Martinez
Winemaker - Martha Clara Vineyards
6025 Sound Avenue
Riverhead, NY 11901
Email: phermentation1@aim.com
www.marthaclaravineyards.com

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