February!

In my early days working in vineyards, I was fortunate to work directly with Dr. Walter Clore. Walter was the WSU researcher who worked on grapes and asparagus, which resulted in our state becoming number two in both crops.

Because of our frequent cold spells in winter, he recommended pruning as late as possible, after Valentine’s Day, if you could. Usually, our freezing events are done, but not always!

Last January 13, 2024, we had several degrees below 0 F and several days of cold that caused a lot of damage to some cultivars. Now, I have to do a lot of rehabilitation on vines with permanent structure damage to the cordon/arm of vines—especially the side of vines pruned before January 13, 2024. The damaged vines often require full mental engagement. I may have to back up the podcast on agriculture I’m listening to. With regular vines, the pruning is pretty auto-pilot after 40 years.

Here is a video showing a freeze-damaged Cabernet Sauvignon vine.

And another video showing how I fixed that vine.

I’ve evolved a strategy for pruning one side of the vines. I am currently pruning the west side and returning to prune the east side in March and April. Last year, I did the east side first, which now has more damage to repair and much less crop than last year. Interestingly, the cold damage is much more significant on one side, the pruned-before-freeze side. So, obviously, it’s a localized effect.

This is a simple strategy since our vines have four cordons divided horizontally, whereas most vineyards have a bilateral cordon in a single plane.

The Ravens and Red-Tailed Hawks often provide afternoon entertainment. They dance on the thermal lift over our farm and perform their Aerial Nuptial Dance.

The dogs keep me company, alternating between naps in sunbeams, trying to catch a vole, and going for a walk with Barbara.