2019 West Coast Weather Thread

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#101 Post by **Merrill Lindquist** » March 23rd, 2019, 9:52 am

That is what my table grapevine looks like. Guess I need to venture out to check out the Cabernet. The table grapevine is closest to the house, and is always the first to show budbreak.

#102 Post by **Paul Gordon** » March 24th, 2019, 5:52 pm

Our buds are slammed shut. Not a sign of even a little popcorning.
This is our latest bud development ever. On the plus side there is zero frost risk. And nothing that a little warm in early April could not fix.

#103 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » March 25th, 2019, 8:07 am

We had a third of an inch overnight but sounded like more. Raining at a brisk pace right now.

#104 Post by **Merrill Lindquist** » March 25th, 2019, 9:42 am

I did venture out yesterday to check out the Cabernet buds - nothing happening. And yes, it is raining again. As was mentioned above, the rain means warm temperature, so no need for frost protection. But frost protection is usually reserved for April in these parts. I will never forget 2008, when we had something like 28 of 30 nights of frost protection going. Not a lot of sleeping with that going on.

#105 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » March 25th, 2019, 12:33 pm

Merrill Lindquist wrote: ↑
March 25th, 2019, 9:42 am
I did venture out yesterday to check out the Cabernet buds - nothing happening. And yes, it is raining again. As was mentioned above, the rain means warm temperature, so no need for frost protection. But frost protection is usually reserved for April in these parts. I will never forget 2008, when we had something like 28 of 30 nights of frost protection going. Not a lot of sleeping with that going on.

I like how you frost protect Merrill, let your neighbors sprinklers spray over on your vines! Nice!

#106 Post by **Merrill Lindquist** » March 25th, 2019, 1:45 pm

Casey Hartlip wrote: ↑
March 25th, 2019, 12:33 pm

Merrill Lindquist wrote: ↑
March 25th, 2019, 9:42 am
I did venture out yesterday to check out the Cabernet buds - nothing happening. And yes, it is raining again. As was mentioned above, the rain means warm temperature, so no need for frost protection. But frost protection is usually reserved for April in these parts. I will never forget 2008, when we had something like 28 of 30 nights of frost protection going. Not a lot of sleeping with that going on.
I like how you frost protect Merrill, let your neighbors sprinklers spray over on your vines! Nice!

Not sure what your problem is, Casey, but you've got a BIG problem. Go see a shrink. Tell him why this FEMALE grower and producer of Cabernet in prime Cabernet land in Napa County gets you so crazy that you continue to make veiled and unveiled attempts to discredit her operation. Envious that Eisele is not 4 driveways down from anything you own? Wait - do you actually own any vineyard land these days or have your own wine label? Envious that my growing and producing neighbors are Kenefick, Kelly Fleming, Frediani, Fisher, Hundred Acre?
Leave the barbs out of this thread. There is room for all kinds of participants on this thread, but you seem intent on pushing me off, or around, or discrediting me. Stop.

Todd F r e n c h · #107 Post by **Todd F r e n c h** » March 25th, 2019, 2:25 pm

Please, the two of you play nice to one another. Casey throws barbs, Merrill replies with her own - let's dial it back and type what you'd likely say to each other in person in a public setting, please.

#108 Post by **Merrill Lindquist** » March 25th, 2019, 3:57 pm

Todd F r e n c h wrote: ↑
March 25th, 2019, 2:25 pm
Please, the two of you play nice to one another. Casey throws barbs, Merrill replies with her own - let's dial it back and type what you'd likely say to each other in person in a public setting, please.

You want me as one of 6 women who post here amongst 10,000 men to sit back and take it? Sorry. I am not that kind of girl. Not sure wat Casey's problem is, nor Tex's is (on other threads), but this is not fun.

#109 Post by **Merrill Lindquist** » March 25th, 2019, 4:18 pm

Todd F r e n c h wrote: ↑
March 25th, 2019, 2:25 pm
Please, the two of you play nice to one another. Casey throws barbs, Merrill replies with her own - let's dial it back and type what you'd likely say to each other in person in a public setting, please.

I'd say - in person - that I am tired of his picking at me. He is rude. He is a redneck who does not understand women who come from a different place from where he comes from. His envy and jealousy is despicable. I am not the instigator. Cancel my subscription if you feel he contributes more positively than I do.

#110 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » March 25th, 2019, 6:44 pm

Just saying it's nice to have your neighbor do your frost protection for you. If that's an attack YOU have a problem. Oh and I might be a redneck....but is that a bad thing?

#111 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » March 26th, 2019, 9:50 pm

More rain tonight.

Edward H. Earles · #112 Post by **Edward H. Earles** » March 27th, 2019, 5:30 am

I've been following the rain fronts working their way across the Pacific, and I see no end to them yet. This year is shaping up to be another 2011 for the West Coast.

#113 Post by **R M Kriete** » March 27th, 2019, 7:36 am

At what point is all of this welcomed rain too much of a good thing?

Edward H. Earles · #114 Post by **Edward H. Earles** » March 27th, 2019, 7:56 am

Fungal disease pressure will increase considerably if the rain continues much past bud-break.

Matthew Brown · #115 Post by **Matthew Brown** » March 27th, 2019, 8:02 am

R M Kriete wrote: ↑
March 27th, 2019, 7:36 am
At what point is all of this welcomed rain too much of a good thing?

Most rain issues early on can be overcome by a warm dry stretch several weeks or so before harvest. Once the vines flower the issue is as much about how MUCH as it is how OFTEN, in order to prevent mold and for the fruit to ripen. Last year in Virginia for example, not only was it a record precip year for many areas but also one of the least sunny. And it was constant through the Fall. Talking with some in the industry I have heard reports of wineries unable to make ANY red wines because they could not get the grapes ripe enough

#116 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » March 27th, 2019, 10:41 am

Although it's an inconvenience at this point in the season it's far from a problem. The cover crop is getting pretty tall but it's still not quite ready to mow/till. Even if it was ready we can't get any equipment down the rows with how wet everything is. Also we generally don't start spraying any sulfur for mildew until about 6 inches of growth which is quite a ways out.
I'm going to guess that were only 125% of a normal rainfall year? This just feels like a spring that we've had in the old days. In a few weeks I'll be bitching about stuck tractors and the like.
As to 2011. It's certainly not any early start to the season. The cool and wet weather will get the vines moving slowly. As long as we have some decent weather this summer and fall we should be fine. 2011 will be remembered for the terrible rains during the harvest that damaged LOTS of fruit from many regions.

Edward H. Earles · #117 Post by **Edward H. Earles** » March 27th, 2019, 12:16 pm

I don't know exactly where you are, Casey, but the town of Philo is showing 150% of normal precipitation YTD, and about 125% of normal since October 1st, on the National Weather Service AHPS site. I was speculating based not upon what's fallen already, but the pattern I'm seeing in the western Pacific.

#118 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » March 27th, 2019, 12:29 pm

Thanks Ed, I wasn't TOO far off with my guess of 125%. It is what it is. Do I wish it was 78 degrees and sunny? Hell yes! I'm pretty well caught up with office stuff and getting a bit stir crazy like most everyone else in these parts. Turkey season starts Saturday! Another one of our redneck activities.

#119 Post by **Paul Gordon** » March 28th, 2019, 8:08 am

Edward H. Earles wrote: ↑
March 27th, 2019, 5:30 am
I've been following the rain fronts working their way across the Pacific, and I see no end to them yet. This year is shaping up to be another 2011 for the West Coast.

2011 was notable for a late winter/spring with many very cold blasts of Alaskan air encouraged by record cold water temps off the N.CA/OR coast. We had similar conditions this February but things have warmed since (though it has continued to be wet). NOAA is predicting a warmer than average April and May partly driven by a developing (but weak) El Nino.

#120 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » March 28th, 2019, 4:36 pm

Went over to good friend and mentor John Scharffenberger's house yesterday. He taught me so much early in my career. He lives about a mile away from my job in Philo. This pic of Indian paintbrush, a native wildflower just stunned me so had to stop and share

#121 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » March 29th, 2019, 8:02 pm

A nice clear and somewhat warm weekend will only tease us as more rain predicted for Mon/Tues. Oh well!

#122 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 1st, 2019, 10:01 am

Chard is OUT!

Peas and beans continue to move. Weather still looks crappy the next 10 days. Might be a Burgundian year in Anderson Valley.

#123 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 3rd, 2019, 8:43 am

Going 9 hour days until we have all our vines tied. Getting a little frantic. Some blocks just about dry enough to turn some cover crop .....and here comes some more rain. Hope it's not the theme of the vintage.

#124 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 4th, 2019, 6:55 pm

Putting the pedal has helped. Amazing when you get the whole team focused on a goal. Super proud of my crew for hauling ass on the tying.

Edward H. Earles · #125 Post by **Edward H. Earles** » April 7th, 2019, 7:08 am

Are there Oregon participants on this thread? It looks like Oregon might get snow over the next couple of weeks. Is Spring late there this year?

#126 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 8th, 2019, 8:02 pm

Warm and somewhat wet the past couple of days. Tractors are poised but not running. Gonna be a sh_t show when it finally stops raining. I can only hope all equipment will hold up when it finally gets deployed. Tractor guys gonna ring up some heavy hours soon.

#127 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 9th, 2019, 9:25 am

There's a feeling of frost in the air. Chilly north wind blowing today. Going to have a meeting with my guys just to make sure all things ready. Still no equipment in the field yet.

#128 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 10th, 2019, 6:26 am

Up at 3:00 this morning to see temps in the upper 30's. Luckily it didn't go under 36.

#129 Post by **Stewart Johnson** » April 10th, 2019, 11:12 pm

It's still pretty soggy out there. I got overconfident after a few clear days and ventured into no-man's-land with the tractor for some mop-up thistle spraying around the pond and got it stuck. Some bad words were uttered, to no avail.

#130 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 11th, 2019, 9:24 am

All vines tied not a moment too soon. Both tractors mowing. Crews shifting to other tasks. Time to drop wires and trellis repair. Looks like no precipitation or frost the next 4-5 days (an outside chance late today) and maybe even some warm weather soon. I had a pallet of sulfur delivered yesterday. Hope to get some out in about a week.

#131 Post by **Rick Allen** » April 12th, 2019, 10:42 am

Edward H. Earles wrote: ↑
April 7th, 2019, 7:08 am
Are there Oregon participants on this thread? It looks like Oregon might get snow over the next couple of weeks. Is Spring late there this year?

I'm not a producer, but Spring has been late this year. Flowering trees that we usually see blooming in early March started blooming around the first of April. Our camellia finally bloomed a week ago, and it usually blooms a month earlier. Weather has been cold and very wet. Eugene set a record for rain in April (the whole month!) on the 8th, and there was significant flooding in the southern Willamette Valley last weekend.

#132 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 14th, 2019, 5:55 pm

Calling for .25-.50 inches tomorrow. I'm not thrilled but hopefully it's the last wet spell for a while. I saw folks already spraying sulfur and made me apprehensive. Not shaping up to be an easy year.

#133 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 15th, 2019, 8:40 am

Accuweather says 11:00 am start time today. I could bitch about it but then I see those poor guys in Burgundy and I feel pretty lucky to farm where I do.

#134 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 17th, 2019, 6:50 am

I did something I seldom do, peeked ahead 10 days into the forecast and see no rain. I spoke to a winemaker buddy yesterday and he expressed great concern over late budbreak and slow growing vineyards. He gets fruit from notoriously late spots and said when he looked at some sites yesterday they had hardly popped out yet.

We will finally get some sulfur out there in the next few days and my anxiety level should drop a bit. Copying from an old movie line: I love the smell of sulfur in the morning!

#135 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 19th, 2019, 5:38 pm

Warm weather is here! We hit the low 80's the last two days. The field crews had good Friday off today but the two tractor guys were out there after midnight applying the first fungicide sprays of the season. A mixture of copper and sulfur (organic if anyone cares) . They will continue Saturday but of course Easter Sunday off. We have some shoots at 6 inches already.

#136 Post by **Merrill Lindquist** » April 20th, 2019, 12:07 pm

To sum up the 2019 growing season so far, here at my small ranch:

We pruned, the vines proved they are alive and, as predicted, shot out buds. They are just starting to leaf out.
We mowed the very high cover crop down last week, and now this week we weed-whacked between the vines, and now, just today and yesterday, the guys hand dug the weeds between the vines. Next up is a disk job, and the vineyard will be green-free at the ground level - just brown dirt.

After the disking, we will apply the first application of organic fish emulsion under the emitters. This is my preferred method of fertilizing. Then it will be time to sucker, look forward to fruit set, and apply another round 30 days after fruit set.

Then the end of July I will travel to Boston for the Red Sox/Yankees final game of that series. I will have a very watchful eye or two to make sure everything is coming along out in the vineyard as expected. Gotta live, too.

#137 Post by **Karen Troisi** » April 20th, 2019, 5:48 pm

Late bloomer... bud break - our syrah at Philary Vineyard on Atlas Peak.

#138 Post by **Paul Gordon** » April 21st, 2019, 7:19 pm

Budbreak, finally. We are certainly heading to a later pick but warmer weather the next week we should catch things up a little.

#139 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 22nd, 2019, 11:27 am

Well it's full on from here on out. Sucker....mow.....spray....repeat. soon we'll add disk and lift wires to the mix also. 9 hour days and 5 hour Saturdays for the next month at least. Hoping we're done with frost.

#140 Post by **Stewart Johnson** » April 22nd, 2019, 9:50 pm

I'm kind of dying to disk the odd rows this year, just to smooth out some of the gopher/labrador mounds and holes. It's been a few years of no-till, and spraying has become a pretty violent tractor ride. All this late rain complicates that plan a bit, as I'd like to keep a full cover crop to suck up moisture and rein in what is likely to be a pretty vigorous canopy. In any case, I'm pushing it back a bit.

#141 Post by **Merrill Lindquist** » April 25th, 2019, 4:23 pm

Clark VM dropped off the tractor with the tilling equipment earlier this week. Juan took a trial ride through, because he was afraid my vineyard would be wet, still, as many others are. Not mine. Whatever it is, that piece of land has amazing drainage. So Victor finished up the disk job, complete with a beautiful ring&roll. I'll see if I can get a photo up here - I took one earlier.

This morning at 6:30, while it was cool and still, the vineyard got sprayed: Sulfur DF, Nordox Cuprous Oxide, and NuFilm Polymenthene.

There are tons of flower formations out there. I'll wait awhile before asking the guys to sucker.

We have had no frost protection needs this year at all! Compare to the dreadful 2008, which had us up 28 of 30 nights in April.

#142 Post by **Paul Gordon** » April 25th, 2019, 6:09 pm

Merrill Lindquist wrote: ↑
April 25th, 2019, 4:23 pm
Clark VM dropped off the tractor with the tilling equipment earlier this week. Juan took a trial ride through, because he was afraid my vineyard would be wet, still, as many others are. Not mine. Whatever it is, that piece of land has amazing drainage. So Victor finished up the disk job, complete with a beautiful ring&roll. I'll see if I can get a photo up here - I took one earlier.

This morning at 6:30, while it was cool and still, the vineyard got sprayed: Sulfur DF, Nordox Cuprous Oxide, and NuFilm Polymenthene.

There are tons of flower formations out there. I'll wait awhile before asking the guys to sucker.

We have had no frost protection needs this year at all! Compare to the dreadful 2008, which had us up 28 of 30 nights in April.

Merrill

Out of interest - why do you disk?

Paul

#143 Post by **Merrill Lindquist** » April 25th, 2019, 6:26 pm

Paul Gordon wrote: ↑
April 25th, 2019, 6:09 pm

Merrill Lindquist wrote: ↑
April 25th, 2019, 4:23 pm
Clark VM dropped off the tractor with the tilling equipment earlier this week. Juan took a trial ride through, because he was afraid my vineyard would be wet, still, as many others are. Not mine. Whatever it is, that piece of land has amazing drainage. So Victor finished up the disk job, complete with a beautiful ring&roll. I'll see if I can get a photo up here - I took one earlier.

This morning at 6:30, while it was cool and still, the vineyard got sprayed: Sulfur DF, Nordox Cuprous Oxide, and NuFilm Polymenthene.

There are tons of flower formations out there. I'll wait awhile before asking the guys to sucker.

We have had no frost protection needs this year at all! Compare to the dreadful 2008, which had us up 28 of 30 nights in April.
Merrill

Out of interest - why do you disk?

Paul

Paul - because that was how it was handled when I acquired the property 20 years ago. My neighbor, with 160 acres under vine, was disking my property as a favor to the previous owner.

My site is a very, very hot one. The thought is that by keeping the soil free of other growth, the irrigation from the emitters will go to the vines. Another thought passed on to me is that because we are so hot, we disk frequently to keep the top layer of soil soft and able to absorb the heat of the sun, without going down to the vine roots. Who knows? But I tend to do what works, and so far, this works for me.

4 driveways down the road, Eisele does a variety of soil working: some just like mine in the old Cab blocks, some allowing cover crop year round every other row - you name it, they do it.

And as a compulsive neatnick, I just love the way my vineyard looks with a clean pull. Excites me with every look.

#144 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 26th, 2019, 8:17 am

Dare I jinx it but clear sailing for the next week weather wise! Yeah baby!

#145 Post by **Eric Lundblad** » April 26th, 2019, 5:11 pm

Stewart Johnson wrote: ↑
April 22nd, 2019, 9:50 pm
I'm kind of dying to disk the odd rows this year, just to smooth out some of the gopher/labrador mounds and holes. It's been a few years of no-till, and spraying has become a pretty violent tractor ride. All this late rain complicates that plan a bit, as I'd like to keep a full cover crop to suck up moisture and rein in what is likely to be a pretty vigorous canopy. In any case, I'm pushing it back a bit.

You have underground labradors? That must be *great* for drainage!

#146 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 26th, 2019, 9:07 pm

We started turning soil the last two days. Soil moisture is decent in the top 8 inches. Today I had my bilingual safety consultant give training to the crew. Spent an hour on sexual harassment which makes me feel like a dinosaur. We do have women on our crew but they work in different fields and are wives of my main men. Just trying to comply with all rules and regulations.

#147 Post by **Stewart Johnson** » April 27th, 2019, 10:47 am

[quote
My site is a very, very hot one. The thought is that by keeping the soil free of other growth, the irrigation from the emitters will go to the vines. Another thought passed on to me is that because we are so hot, we disk frequently to keep the top layer of soil soft and able to absorb the heat of the sun, without going down to the vine roots. Who knows?
[/quote]

I think the conventional wisdom runs the other way -- that a layer of thatch on the vineyard floor keeps things cooler above and below ground. Disking is very satisfying -- esthetically, feeling that you're actually accomplishing something, feeling like screwing over the gophers, etc. -- but I try to rein in that impulse until I can't stand it any longer. There's lots to be said for no-till on the other side of the ledger, and I try to go at least a couple years in between disking any particular patch of dirt.

#148 Post by **Merrill Lindquist** » April 27th, 2019, 1:58 pm

Stewart Johnson wrote: ↑
April 27th, 2019, 10:47 am
[quote
My site is a very, very hot one. The thought is that by keeping the soil free of other growth, the irrigation from the emitters will go to the vines. Another thought passed on to me is that because we are so hot, we disk frequently to keep the top layer of soil soft and able to absorb the heat of the sun, without going down to the vine roots. Who knows?

I think the conventional wisdom runs the other way -- that a layer of thatch on the vineyard floor keeps things cooler above and below ground. Disking is very satisfying -- esthetically, feeling that you're actually accomplishing something, feeling like screwing over the gophers, etc. -- but I try to rein in that impulse until I can't stand it any longer. There's lots to be said for no-till on the other side of the ledger, and I try to go at least a couple years in between disking any particular patch of dirt.
[/quote]

Merrill in response to Stewart (quotes are a bit messed up on this thread): As I said, who knows? I and my customers are happy with the wine I produce from my vineyard, so I vary things very little. If it is not broken, I don't try to fix it.

Changes I made from the previous owners was to stop using chemical fertilizers and any kind of weed killer. I also irrigate far more infrequently than they did. I also changed the trellising. A wine had never been produced from my vineyard - the fruit went to Sterling vineyards along with the 14 acre pick just down the way from me.

#149 Post by **Casey Hartlip** » April 28th, 2019, 5:24 pm

Second round of fungicides starting tonight. No copper this pass just sulfur. The shell game is where to place the men and women's crews so that they're not near the fields that are getting treated. The next few days show a cool down which is great for sulfur applications and no fear of burn. Still no rain or frost on the 10 day forecast. Dare I say....we've had no major breakdowns on tractors/mowers/sprayers thus far which is pretty lucky. It's also a testament to my two operators and their maintenance program. I'm lucky to have them.
Trying to get 4 sulfur sprays on the vines before bloom. I don't like to do much spraying during bloom.

#150 Post by **Paul Gordon** » April 28th, 2019, 9:57 pm

Lots of movement this week. The vast majority of buds leafed out and 4-6in shoots in the drier areas. After the very late start, the last week of low to mid 70s has put us slightly ahead of the last two years.

Paul