2018 Fall in the Vineyard

Well here it is mid-September and I am left wondering where the summer went. The big heat of August was masked by the surge of smoke that engulf the area, blocking out the sunshine when it was needed the most. While there were notable fires in the area, we were thankfully spared from any major destruction. The smoke did, however, set us back in the vineyard.  We do need to get some fall sunshine to our sugars up. Last year we were harvesting fruit at this time.  As of September 12, are Brix readings are as follows:

WHITES

Siegerrebbe: 16 brix. Large cluster with large berries
Harvested Sept 19 at 17 brix

L'Acadia Blanc: 17 brix. Loose cluster and medium size berries
Sept. 29: 19.5 brix

Chardonnay: 11 brix. Medium size clusters and berries
Sept 29: 16.5 brix

Osceolo Muscat: 16 brix. Loose cluster, but large with medium berries
Sept. 29: 19 brix

Madeliene Angevine 16 brix. Medium to Large berries and large cluster
Harvested Sept 19 at 17 brix

Madeliene Sylvaner 15 brix. Large clusters and berries
Harvested Sept 19 at 17 brix

Epicure: 17 brix. Loose clusters with medium berries
Sept. 29: 18 brix

Petite Milo: 20 brix. Medium size clusters and berries.
Harvested Sept. 29 at 21 brix

Amiel: 17 brix - Large clusters and berries
Harvested Sept 19 at 17 brix

RED

48-05-83: 18 brix. Medium cluster and berries
Sept. 29: 18 brix

Labelle: 15 brix. Loose clusters, small berries
Sept. 29: 17.5 brix

Baco Noir: 17 brix. Medium cluster and berrie.
Sept. 29: 19 brix

Leon Millot: 20 brix. Medium bunches with medium berries
Sept. 29: 20 brix

Pinot Noir:16 brix. Loose medium size bunches with medium berries 
Sept. 29: 17.5 brix

While our numbers are down somewhat from 2017 at this time, the fruit all looks good and healthy. we have had another great year at controlling powdery mildew and keeping the birds and wasps at bay.  I will keep checking the Brix as September rolls along and will post a final blog comparing the 2017 numbers.

Happy crushing.

Update Sept. 29 2018

I have updated the final numbers for brix counts. I do not suspect things will get better this year. Numbers are a bit down from last year, but overall not terrible. Now it is just a matter of getting the fruit picked between the rain!