StoneTreeVineyard

Harvest at StoneTree!

StoneTreeVineyard — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:52:54 +0000

Harvest began on Sept 23 with Tempranillo, “the early one”. This was only three days later than 2010, so we are roughly on the same track as last year. So far, as of this 10/5 post, we are mostly through the tempranillo, well into merlot and malbec, and just starting on syrah.

After what seemed at times like a long slog, we finished up harvest 2011 with the last of the Petit Verdot on November 7. This was 5 days later than in 2010, establishing a new record late finish date for StoneTree. All grapes were harvested with no frost damage!

Veraison at StoneTree!

StoneTreeVineyard — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 01:42:38 +0000

Full blown veraison hit the Tempranillo blocks on August the 5th, only 4 days later than 2010. So, we are catching up.

Zinfandel, Syrah and Mourvedre began showing the first colored berries on August 10th.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Merlot entered veraison on August 16th.

Cabernet Franc, Barbera, and Viognier began veraison on August 21st.

StoneTree in the press

StoneTreeVineyard — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:51:35 +0000

Here are a few articles we’ve been featured in…

http://www.youtube.com/user/SteMichelleWinery?feature=mhee#p/u/0/mH1iYya4JvU/

Grape industry honors Wildman

Washington Winegrowers Wait for Buds

Sustainability is the Byword in Washington

StoneTree in the Seattle Times!

Vineyard Practices

StoneTreeVineyard — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:11:29 +0000

Vine Nutrition at StoneTree is managed with a soil-based approach. Since 2008, we have been adding virtually all nutrients in the form of composted dairy waste and composted yard waste. Soil samples are taken annually to determine the compost application rate, and compost is applied in November through December.

Pruning typically begins in January if the weather is fit. Since there was no significant bud damage from the arctic weather event of last November, we did not delay pruning this year. Vines at StoneTree are pruned to minimal levels of fruitful buds. We finished pruning this year on March 15.

Other annual chores include shoot thinning and moveable wire placement. We finished shoot thinning the week of June 13, and wire moves the following week, during bloom.

Crop level adjustment is done in three ways: Pruning bud counts, shoot thinning, and green cluster thinning. Cluster thinning decisions were based on lag weights taken the week of July 25. Thinning began at that time and was wrapped up August the 20th.

Bloom at StoneTree !

StoneTreeVineyard — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:18:13 +0000

After a long cool spring in 2011, vines began bloom at the vineyard on June 16. This was about 10 days later than 2010, which was 7 days later than 2009. Weather conditions for 2011 bloom are ideal — moderate … Continue reading →