Secondary fermentation has begun....
Cellar hands John and Scott ( and Diane) completed the primary fermentation on Saturday and have transferred the juice to a 5 gal carboy to begin the secondary fermentation. This step could take weeks so don't get toooo excited. We are a long way to a finished and hopefully drinkable product. ( The date on Scott's camera is incorrect so don't worry you haven't missed anything!)
Monday, August 17, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
The first Henderson Family Farms LLC Sandyland Vineyard with more beer, wine, and scotch consumed than havested. By the time the last grape of the last vine of the last row had been picked the tempature was approaching the century mark and the stomachs were getting restless. In all nearly a ton of grapes were in the tubs and we all a learned all about specific gravity, must, brix, titratable (sp) acid, grams per pound, liters per gallon, where MacArthur is and Johnnies. Since this is my first blog attempt I am going to submit it before spending to much time on my speed typing abilities.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Harvest 2009
The fields are high and summer's days are few; green fields have turned to gold. The time is here for the harvesting, for gathering home into barns. The harvest is plenty; the laborers are few. Come with me into the fields. Your arms may grow weary; your shoes will wear thin. Come with me into the fields. Come with me into the fields.-Dan Schutte
The fields are high and summer's days are few; green fields have turned to gold. The time is here for the harvesting, for gathering home into barns. The harvest is plenty; the laborers are few. Come with me into the fields. Your arms may grow weary; your shoes will wear thin. Come with me into the fields. Come with me into the fields.-Dan Schutte
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
the monster vine of '09
after the big rains of july my vine has started growing again. it has grown so much that i had to move up the upper trellis wire support installation. i thought i could slack a bit and do it next year but the monster keeps growing. the vine was so "top heavy" a big gust of wind had knocked over one cordone and was in danger of being damaged. i did loose the biggest cane to the high winds. so i pulled out my trusty dusty hobart mig welder and whipped out the two support poles. notice the u-bends at the top so no eyes will get poked out while pruning or harvesting the crop. i'm going for maximum condone length, 4 feet each way for a total of 8 feet of producing vine. notice the baby grapes too! i'm hoping its a red grape variety, i might make a pint of jam with it!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
July 24-27, 2009
BIRD UPDATE: As you know the birds invaded our vineyard this last week wiping out maybe 50% of our Sangiovese grapes. John and Scott tried bagging the grape clusters with paper bags. Hard work with not so good results. Sat night Scott built the nifty extra large paper towel dispenser and mounted it on the three wheeler. Sunday morning we used an entire roll of baling wrap to cover all except 4 rows of the 2007 crop. The birds were upset. We found some birds tangled in the netting as you will see Leon helping untangling a small robin. Tangled in the web you will also see Scott trying to sneak grapes. With only 4 rows left unprotected we thought we might fake out the birds...not to be. We walked thru the rows as they moved from uncovered row to uncovered row. We made "Terror Eyes" out of the sacks and stapled them along the rows hoping to scare the birds away. ("Terror Eyes" are available for $50.00 per balloon or $44.00 per balloon for 6 or more....so we made our own!) Monday morning John had purchased a partial roll of netting and was trying to drape the netting until Scott and he could get the tops and bottoms tied down. A special thanks to Dr. Gary Strebel for his valuable time and his encouragement to get the grapes covered NOW!
DEER UPDATE: Please start saving your hair clippings, especially men's or untreated hair. Fill knee high hose with the clippings and mail them to John or Scott. We can hang these every ten feet on the perimeter of the fence or we can try soap shaving every 6-8 feet on each row. The soap method could result in unwanted bubbles in our wines so start collected hair clippings from your barbers!
SANGIOVESE GRAPES: Please note how much they have matured in just two weeks and how beautiful they are!
BIRD UPDATE: As you know the birds invaded our vineyard this last week wiping out maybe 50% of our Sangiovese grapes. John and Scott tried bagging the grape clusters with paper bags. Hard work with not so good results. Sat night Scott built the nifty extra large paper towel dispenser and mounted it on the three wheeler. Sunday morning we used an entire roll of baling wrap to cover all except 4 rows of the 2007 crop. The birds were upset. We found some birds tangled in the netting as you will see Leon helping untangling a small robin. Tangled in the web you will also see Scott trying to sneak grapes. With only 4 rows left unprotected we thought we might fake out the birds...not to be. We walked thru the rows as they moved from uncovered row to uncovered row. We made "Terror Eyes" out of the sacks and stapled them along the rows hoping to scare the birds away. ("Terror Eyes" are available for $50.00 per balloon or $44.00 per balloon for 6 or more....so we made our own!) Monday morning John had purchased a partial roll of netting and was trying to drape the netting until Scott and he could get the tops and bottoms tied down. A special thanks to Dr. Gary Strebel for his valuable time and his encouragement to get the grapes covered NOW!
DEER UPDATE: Please start saving your hair clippings, especially men's or untreated hair. Fill knee high hose with the clippings and mail them to John or Scott. We can hang these every ten feet on the perimeter of the fence or we can try soap shaving every 6-8 feet on each row. The soap method could result in unwanted bubbles in our wines so start collected hair clippings from your barbers!
SANGIOVESE GRAPES: Please note how much they have matured in just two weeks and how beautiful they are!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Birds, Guns, Sacks, and Nets
A sad week at the vinfyard. The robins have attacked and destroyed large amount of grapes. Guns were used with not much result after the dead birds were left on the ground. Scott came up with the idea from his book that to install sacks on the clusters. Very hard to sack a cluster! But Trish found the solution with baler wrap. So it was put on the 2 rows on Sat. and will be finished on Sunday. Trish and Leon are coming down to help and they are bringing more chemicals for me to apply this week. We are very close in making a deal on the 07' grapes. More news later from Sandyland Vinfyard. johnnie
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy Firecracker Day 2009
It was HOT at the vineyard this weekend. We managed to get the 2008 crop, Rows 38-22, tied and pruned. We are seeing some new growth in the 2008 crop due to the fact that we have started a 24/7 watering schedule. In other words it takes about 7 days, 24 hours a day (12 hour shifts) to water all the rows. We talked about solar powered timers but we don't have the time this summer to make changes and install timers. Friday morning John misted with fungicide ( 2nd application) while we went thru the 2007 crop. We tied up the wild growth, used Ag ties on the sagging cordons , and added black ties to the drooping drip lines. The vines are maturing and the grapes are growing. It is amazing how quickly the fungicide stops the black rot growth and you can see the fungus dissipate within a short time. Hope everyone has a safe 4th!!!!
It was HOT at the vineyard this weekend. We managed to get the 2008 crop, Rows 38-22, tied and pruned. We are seeing some new growth in the 2008 crop due to the fact that we have started a 24/7 watering schedule. In other words it takes about 7 days, 24 hours a day (12 hour shifts) to water all the rows. We talked about solar powered timers but we don't have the time this summer to make changes and install timers. Friday morning John misted with fungicide ( 2nd application) while we went thru the 2007 crop. We tied up the wild growth, used Ag ties on the sagging cordons , and added black ties to the drooping drip lines. The vines are maturing and the grapes are growing. It is amazing how quickly the fungicide stops the black rot growth and you can see the fungus dissipate within a short time. Hope everyone has a safe 4th!!!!
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
June 20, 2009
The 2008 crop has been pruned and tied. Yippee! 2007 crop has been tied. Yippee! For the first time we are caught up for a couple weeks. Yippee! The fungicide was sprayed Monday, the 2008 crop has been trimmed and the mowing is finished. The sign has been hung. The vineyard looks great for it's first public viewing this weekend for Ashley's wedding. The grapes are abundant and it really looks beautiful. Leon saw a baby horny toad...so the family is still around. And I think the bull snakes are there also. The rose bushes are coming out of the damage they received and might have new blooms this weekend. (AND plans are been drawn up to convert a cotton harvester into a grape harvester as we speak.)
Unfinished projects include painting the posts and painting the trim on the barn. And it will be time to mist with fungicide in 10 days or so. We need to watch for mites this year also. See everybody this weekend!
The 2008 crop has been pruned and tied. Yippee! 2007 crop has been tied. Yippee! For the first time we are caught up for a couple weeks. Yippee! The fungicide was sprayed Monday, the 2008 crop has been trimmed and the mowing is finished. The sign has been hung. The vineyard looks great for it's first public viewing this weekend for Ashley's wedding. The grapes are abundant and it really looks beautiful. Leon saw a baby horny toad...so the family is still around. And I think the bull snakes are there also. The rose bushes are coming out of the damage they received and might have new blooms this weekend. (AND plans are been drawn up to convert a cotton harvester into a grape harvester as we speak.)
Unfinished projects include painting the posts and painting the trim on the barn. And it will be time to mist with fungicide in 10 days or so. We need to watch for mites this year also. See everybody this weekend!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Proper Vineyard attire...
large hat for shade (note decorative hatband of grapevine), large, white shirt to reflect the summer sun, baggy shorts with lots of pockets to stuff full of supplies, kneepads to protect tender knees when kneeling on stickers, rubber boots to keep feet dry in early morning dew, nailbag with floral tie tape, extra floral tie tape, sunscreen, bug spray, citronella wristband to ward of pesky mosquitoes, monster hook on belt to hold spare gardening pad and large pruners for woody vines, small hoe for extra large weeds, ag ties for cordones, bag of irrigation clips, cellphone to call siblings that are goofing off at the barn, and a cold, refreshing beer!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Stockholders feeling the Heat !
Another fun day at the vineyard on Sat. when Barb, John, MJ, and Rob came down to put in hard day. After the tour of the money crop of 07' it was time to go to work. With a few questions of what, how, why, where the pruning of the row 32 - 38 were worked over. I put the wire on those rows . John N. ran his weed eater on several rows doing a great job. I believe he is going to be the permant weed eater man at the vineyard. His final comment was "I wish that I could do it for a living". It was a fun day for talking and sweating. Lunch was enjoyed by all of us that was brought by them. The day ended at 2:30 but then I got on the lawn mower and mowed the 07' rows. It sure is nice having a good lawn mower there to use when needed. johnnie
Monday, June 8, 2009
June 5th and 6th, 2009
Leon, Scott, John and I met Friday about 5PM to work on the 2008 crop. The vines had grown about a foot since last weekend. We trimmed a lot of growth from the bottom of each plant and some we were able to select and divide into two cordons. That is how much they had grown from the week before! We walked thru the 2007 crop at sunset. You can't believe how beautiful it looks. The evening was cool and everything was so green from the rain earlier that week. On Sat. we met at 7AM to tie up and lightly prune the 2007 crop. We thought we could finish in a couple hours but we worked until 3PM. We were tired, hot and sunburned when we finally quit. We had planned on putting the wire on the last 5 rows of '08 but couldn't get it done. This needs to be finished soon as the vines are about to reach that height and will need to be cordoned and tied. We will not be working this weekend but plan to go back on the 20th to prune and tie the 2008 crop AGAIN. It is a constant job! Again, I can't tell you how beautiful the vineyard looks right now. I have some sad news, however, the bird eggs were gone. Perhaps it was the 5 ft bull snake John saw earlier that week in the same area.( No pictures were taken this weekend, sorry!)
Leon, Scott, John and I met Friday about 5PM to work on the 2008 crop. The vines had grown about a foot since last weekend. We trimmed a lot of growth from the bottom of each plant and some we were able to select and divide into two cordons. That is how much they had grown from the week before! We walked thru the 2007 crop at sunset. You can't believe how beautiful it looks. The evening was cool and everything was so green from the rain earlier that week. On Sat. we met at 7AM to tie up and lightly prune the 2007 crop. We thought we could finish in a couple hours but we worked until 3PM. We were tired, hot and sunburned when we finally quit. We had planned on putting the wire on the last 5 rows of '08 but couldn't get it done. This needs to be finished soon as the vines are about to reach that height and will need to be cordoned and tied. We will not be working this weekend but plan to go back on the 20th to prune and tie the 2008 crop AGAIN. It is a constant job! Again, I can't tell you how beautiful the vineyard looks right now. I have some sad news, however, the bird eggs were gone. Perhaps it was the 5 ft bull snake John saw earlier that week in the same area.( No pictures were taken this weekend, sorry!)
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
May 30, 2009
Leon and I met Scott at the vineyard about 10 AM. The vines were so tall in the 2007 crop it was an hour before we saw each other. Leon used his weed eater on the first 12 rows of the 2007 crop. Scott and I finished pruning and tying up the last 16 rows of the 2008 crop. We also knocked off all the new growth on the 2007 vines and tied up some up the growth to the two wire trellis lines. Believe me, these vines are going crazy. There are still some flowering clusters but many have bloomed and have started forming the grapes.
Monday, May 25, 2009
jack colville visits the vineyard...
sunday afternoon I took jack colville to the vineyard, he didn't get out but I drove around slowly and described the operation in detail to him. he really enjoyed the trip and I had fun visiting with him. saturday morning john and I pruned 6 rows of the little vines before the rain came. we got 6 tenths of an inch. check out the flower clusters in the big vines!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
MAY 2009
More pruning.....and more pruning. The vines are growing everyday. They need attention everyday also. The warm weather and the recent rains have really helped. The green nursery tape is used on the tender growth and the ag ties are used to straighten the main stock and the cordons. We finished the 2007 crop after working from 8 AM to 5 PM. Scott and Leon went for lunch for us...the manager makes us work without too many breaks!
Monday, May 11, 2009
5-9-09 workday.......
saturday was overcast and chilly but we managed to get to prune all of the '08 vines. lots of dead plants though and also noticed a bunch of "rootstalk red" vines. the rootstalks probably need to be dug up... some discussion was had on transplanting some of the plants that are too close together and using them to replace dead plants or rootstalks. john and i found two rootstalks in the '07 crop, they look different and have absolutely no flower clusters on them.
we do have some extremely healthy plants that are loaded with flower clusters, they are so thick that they will have to be thinned soon.
we do have some extremely healthy plants that are loaded with flower clusters, they are so thick that they will have to be thinned soon.
edward ortega also showed up to work but he left as soon as he heard leon wasn't frying fish...
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