Since April I’ve been following the growth of grapes here in Sonoma County, California. Actuallty, I’ve been following one particular field of grapes. It’s become a Favorite Place.
I’ve been gone for a month so I was surprised at how much they have grown. The picture of the vine above was taken in March of this year. Here’s how it looks now:
They are filling out so much that the mountains are no longer visible. The leaves are expanding and the grapes are filling out nicely.
Here’s a close-up shot. See the grapes growing all along the bottom?
We are learning that every vineyard has it’s own style of holding the grape vines up off the ground. They do it by using a variety of trellises. This method you see above is called vertical. The posts hold several wires and the grape vines are placed in between those wires. It makes the plant look very flat.
This trellis is called Lyre. There is still the use of wires but the plant can spread a quite a bit more in between the u-shaped trellis.
Here is a very old plant that has no trellis at all. (The wires you see are the drip-lines for watering the vines.) Some of these old vines can be decades old. Isn’t it beautiful?
I hope you’ll join me again in a couple of weeks when I’ll show you another Favorite Place. Feel free to join in and share some of your Favorite Places. Leave a link in the comments and we’ll come visit you.
WOW – I had no idea they grew so much in such a short time!
Lovin’ this series of posts
I love grape vines. I wish I could make an arbor in my backyard! Nice pictures!
Wow, those grapes are really coming along!
They are so lush and just look at those bunches. And I had no idea there were a variety of ways of suspending the vines. And I love that old plant. I just love this series.
I learn something new every day. Thanks for the viniculture lessons which wouldn’t be complete without your excellent photography.
Yes, that last one is beautiful! They really do grow fast, don’t they?
Beautiful! thanks for sharing the progress. I would love to see an update on your garden.
I’m enjoying watching the vines grow…do you know what type of wine they’ll be made into?
Beautiful! I know next to nothing about grapes and wine making, but it sure is interesting and pretty to look at.
I need to go to our local winery to taste some arround here.
Staci: I’m not positive about the type of wine. There is a sign about a half-mile down the road that says Pinot Noir. It’s all the same vineyard so I’m going to assume it’s all Pinot Noir. However, I’m always leery when I assume anything. I’m going to watch closely when it’s harvest time and probably ask questions.
That old vine is just lovely! Lots of vineyards in the Willamette Valley OR (which we’re missing this year of course). But all of them that we’ve visited have the manicured carefully trimmed rows. I’m enjoying watching the progress with you.