Every vine, grape, variety, vineyard, vintage and wine has their own story. In 2009 I began writing mine. In 2015 I planted 7000 vines on 5 acres on the Old Mission Peninsula AVA located just north of Traverse City, MI. My journey as a farmer, grower, worker has only made me more passionate for viticulture. Follow my journey through pictures on Instagram as I cultivate my own label
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2015 - PLANTING
Prep for 7000 vines completed on Old Mission Peninsula ready to plant after alternating sorghum and rye for 7 years. Fertilized and rocks hand picked off of property in Spring, followed by deep tilling to break up soil below.
7000 vines attached to rootstock for vineyard. Soaked for 24 hrs before planting. Vitis Riparia rootstock keeps vineyard-destroying phylloxera out. Differing rootstock can help control vigor based on soil type, as well.
Walking through the vineyard in early November, I picked this tiny bunch of fully ripe Pinot Gris. Sweet and beautiful bounty. Fin 2015
Prep for 7000 vines completed on Old Mission Peninsula ready to plant after alternating sorghum and rye for 7 years. Fertilized and rocks hand picked off of property in Spring, followed by deep tilling to break up soil below.
2016 - TRELLISING
The year begins with pruning back to year one. The vineyard absorbed some serious hail in the previous year. This meaning they got a bit damaged. In order to avoid vulnerablility to disease, the pruning had to be extreme. In addition, it is time to plant 200 new vines to finish 'unfinished' rows.
Planting 180 Chardonnay and 20 Pinot Gris to finish the rows. Lined up with flags to make sure the layout was exact.
The vineyard caretaker, post irrigation fixes and reset.
The year begins with pruning back to year one. The vineyard absorbed some serious hail in the previous year. This meaning they got a bit damaged. In order to avoid vulnerablility to disease, the pruning had to be extreme. In addition, it is time to plant 200 new vines to finish 'unfinished' rows.
2017 - 1ST HARVEST
This is the year that I will harvest for the first time. I will sell all the grapes to a winery up the road if all goes well.
This is a full vineyard shot of the vines at budbreak
The chardonnay sits in neutral oak for a bit for the 2Lads Chardonnay
This is the year that I will harvest for the first time. I will sell all the grapes to a winery up the road if all goes well.