we do it for the love and lessons RSS

What a treat we had Thursday, November 21st when Sandy’s distant cousin, Steve Caron, visited Potter’s Vineyard.  Steve’s Great Grandmother (Pulcherie LaLande, who married Jacob Caron) was the sister of Sandy’s Great Grandfather (Max LaLande) on her mothers’ side.  Sandy’s Mom, Joann joined Steve and Sandy and had a great time discussing the LaLande and Caron family tree, which Steve has done an amazing job tracing. The visit was also very special because Steve’s wife Ksenia came along on the trip to do some research on Oregon Wines.  Ksenia is a Wine Educator, finishing up her level 4 Diploma Certification with WSET, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, and her Wine Akademic diploma at the Austrian Wine Academy.  She also...

After several warm vintages in Oregon, 2019 brought us back to the historic challenges and excitement of growing grapes and making wine in Oregon.   Bud break – April 20th. Bloom third week of June – Verasion last week of August.  Harvests: Bonair Vineyard Chardonnay September 3rd Potter’s Vineyard Estate Rosé of Pinot noir – Sept 14th Konowac Vineyards Merlot – Sept 18th Potter’s Vineyard Estate Pinot noir (done in two pickings) – Dijon 114 and and East Block Dijon 115 Clones -  Sept 25th Pommard, Dijon 667, Dijon 777, and West Block Dijon 115 Clones – Sept 30th Konowac Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon – October 3rd After a normal to slightly early start of spring, we saw a very interesting summer with...

Bud break – April 25th.  Only about 2 days earlier than last vintage.  Bloom – second week of June.  Verasion – third week of August.   Harvests: Potter’s Vineyard Estate Rosé of Pinot noir – September 16th – Potter’s Vineyard Estate Pinot noir – September 28th – Konowac Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon – October 10th – Bonair Vineyard Chardonnay September 3rd. Winter was relatively mild for the 2018 vintage.  There were a couple of snowfalls and ice storms but there were enough dry days in February for us to get into the field early to mulch the pruning’s and add new organic matter into the soil.  March and April brought lots of moisture and grass growth to the vine rows.  We spent...

Bud break – April 27th.  About 2 weeks later than normal. Bloom – Back to normal – last week of June. Verasion – Last week of August Harvests: Potter’s Vineyard Estate Rosé of Pinot noir – September 24th Potter’s Vineyard Estate Pinot noir – October 3rd  Konowac Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon – October 4th Celilo Vineyards Chardonnay – October 5th Winter came in like a lion for the 2017 vintage.  There was lots of snow but also lots of ice and above average amounts of rain which delayed start of pruning.   The abundant soil moisture made it hard to get into the fields to mulch the prunings and take care of the weeds.  Thus 2017 will be remembered for the generous...

Bud break – April 7th. About 1 week early. Bloom – Early – 2nd  week of June – 2 weeks early. Verasion – Early – 1st week of August – 2 weeks early. Harvests: Potter’s Vineyard Estate Rosé of Pinot noir – September 5th Potter’s Vineyard Estate Pinot noir – September 17th Celilo Vineyards Chardonnay – September 20th Konowac Vineyards – September 16th Finally the hot year subsided a bit.  In 2016 bloom came very early but there were lots of cool spells in the early months of shoot growth.  We had an unusual heat spike followed by colder temperatures around bloom that resulted in bit later bloom and a variable fruit set.  You could really see this along the...