Bud break in Pinot today--other areas?

Started seeing bud break today in warmer sections of Pinot in our main vineyard–is anyone else seeing any bud break in their Pinot Noir? I have a feeling the fun is just beginning!

I’m surprised nobody has had bud break in Napa. It felt like mid May today on the golf course in Yountville.

Jim

Some scary low temps predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday morning at least in the North Bay. Hope you are not effected.

I expect this to be another topsy turvy year, especially for Pinot. The almanac predicts a cool wet spring, looks like we’ll have early flowering. Is that the fun you were referring to, Jim?

Ian

I am not sure I could stomach a fourth cold spring in a row.
The winter weather pattern certainly feels very different to 2009-2011, with the high pressure building often over the North Coast. Feels like 2004 to me.

Seeing Pinot Bud swelling, no break yet.

We’re tight in Anderson Valley. I even checked with the Roederer guys and and nothing even swelling! Maybe 3-4 days of rain starting Sunday?

Temperature dropping like a rock tonight with wind contributing to chill factor. The vines won’t know what the hell is going on.

From the almanac, which aligns with what I feel in my bones – both sources are dubious… but it sounds like a difficult year with a cool spring and lots of heat mid July through mid-September. Keep in mind the area of the forecast include Oregon, but mid-January was not that snowy in our mountains.

MARCH 2012: temperature 56° (1° below avg.); precipitation 4" (4" above avg. north, 0.5" below south); Mar 1-9: Stormy periods; cool, then mild; Mar 10-16: Showers north; A; Mar M:; Mar clouds,: P; Mar M:; Mar sun: south; mild; Mar 17-20: Sunny, seasonable; Mar 21-25: Stormy, cool; Mar 26-31: Showers and t-storms, mainly north; cool.

APRIL 2012: temperature 56° (4° below avg.); precipitation 3" (2" above avg.); Apr 1-2: Sunny, cool; Apr 3-5: Rainy, cool; Apr 6-10: Rainy periods north; A; Apr M:; Apr clouds,: P; Apr M:; Apr sun: south; cool; Apr 11-17: Rainy, cool; Apr 18-26: Showers, then sunny, cool; Apr 27-30: Showers.

Annual Weather Summary: November 2011 to October 2012
Winter temperatures will be below normal, on average, with the coldest periods in mid- and late December, mid-January, and early February. Precipitation will be much above normal in the north and below normal in the south. The stormiest periods will be in early to mid-November and December, with mid-January being the snowiest period in the mountains.

April and May will be cooler and rainier than normal.

Summer will be warmer than normal, with near-normal rainfall. The hottest periods will be in mid-July and much of August.

September and October will be warmer than normal, with slightly below-normal rainfall. Expect hot weather in early and mid-September.

We received reports of bud break at a vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands on 2/29.

Bud break here: 1,000’ up on the SC/RRV border in a block of PN 115 clone PN situated on a northeast facing slope. Nothing anywhere else in the vineyard (all different clones on flat terrain).

We’ve had Pinot bud break at the Brauns vineyard in Los Altos Hills (1400 feet SCM, east side).

Artesa posted a pic on FB of PN bud break.

Ian, I think after the last two years, this would actually be quite a benign year!

Still no swellling/cracking in Anderson Valley, Boonville. Lots of rain in the forecast so it may be another week out sill.

Thompson’s at the Haut Tubee Vineyard (90 feet Santa Clara Valley ava) and Merlot at Red Hen in Los Gatos (400 feet Santa Clara Valley AVA).

Paul

How does that compare to previous years?

I saw some cane pruned Pinot today that had a couple of buds ‘cracked’ but not really swelling.

No surprises so far. A little earlier than the last two years, more in line with 08 and 09. Personally I’m expecting an early year this year. My prediction is for the first time ever I’ll be in NOLA for my birthday without still having fruit out in the vineyard.

We’ve got Merlot with 2" growth at 300’ elevation in Gilroy, Santa Clara Valley AVA pruned before Jan 15, bud break was noted last weekend.

Later pruning Merlot (March) nothing so far and Cab/Cab Franc/PS/Colomobard not even swelling.