Anybody here grow their own grapes, make their own wine?

Update on this years crop. We had late spring rains in California and higher humidity than normal , so we battle bunch rot, a fungus that attacks the grapes.

This year I used a dormant spray in the winter to help prevent fungus, but I should have sprayed a second round right before the buds opened, thats were the fungus can hide. As a result I am battling bunch rot AKA Botrytis cinerea. Bunch rot sucks the life out of the grapes and destroys them. While the rot takes place it often opens the grapes skin and this then attracts bee's that make the situation worse.

In addition to the spray I cleared the lower portion of the canopy around the grapes to give them better air circulation which helps prevent fungus. This to was a bit late, so next year I will be more proactive next year. You really have to make time to walk your vineyard to stay on top of the changes that can take place so quickly. Every year I learn a bit more.

We have about 2-3 more weeks before we can pick so it's a battle to the end and a question of how much of a crop we will end up with. I have seen some vineyards that end up with no yield.

The reduced watering doesn't seem to have effected the vines at all, so I may just keep them on this schedule.



On a side note there are different types of rot and they are often differentiated as a noble rot or sour rot. In some cases the noble rot adds to the flavor. Many sweet white wines will have noble rot.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Last years is tasting pretty good still a bit tart