May 2012: Waiting for Buds to Push

About one week after the grafting, our new Pinot noir buds are swelling.  We await shoot growth in the next few weeks. The young vines are protected by milk cartons.

May 2012 Grafting

With about 2 feet of growth, the 420A rootstock are ready for grafting.  

The grafter skillfully inserts a Pinot noir bud into the rootstock, and ties it in place, as shown in the video and pictures below:

April 2012: Spring Growth

During dormancy, the young rootstocks were pruned back to a few inches of growth (above). Currently, the remaining buds have pushed and new shoots have emerged (below).

February 2012: Glorious Spring Mustard!

The young vines are still dormant but the blooming mustard hints at the arriving Spring...

September 2011: Establishment

By the start of Fall, our young 420A vines had come a long way...

August 2011: Healthy, Growing Vines

By August, the 420A vines are well established.


We had planted a few extra vines that we dug up in order to monitor root growth. We were pleased to see even and vigorous new growth below the ground.

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.