Norton Bunch

Click here to see a Norton cluster this time last year.

Autumn

I know it was less than two weeks ago that I was complaining about hot weather. Well, today the high is 48, and there is a wind chill. Guess I need to bring a heavier coat to work.

These pictures were taken today. I know the first two look similar, but I couldn't decide which one I liked better. You are looking over the Norton, and onto the lower Concord.

The last picture is what we think is a random Pinot Noir vine.

Remember those Norton grapes we have been looking at all spring and summer? Well, we picked them on Monday. The fruit is beautiful, the chemistry superb, and the fermentation is progressing right on schedule.

Yesterday, 9.12.08

just waiting for the sugar to rise and the acid to drop now

Today!

Picture Taken 8.28.08

Picture Taken 8.22.08

Absent

Since my office is way out in the boonies I have satellite internet. It's supposed to be faster than dial up, and it is, but not by much. 19 days ago some part of the thing that helps me use the internet (can you tell I'm technically challenged) got struck by lightening and my internet service provider has yet to come out to the boonies and fix it. I say 19 days because that is what I told them the 5 times that I called them today, and once yesterday and the day before, and the repair man on Tuesday. Good times. Anyway (Artie Lange would say "wahhh!") here is my picture of the week, 3 weeks late, and two weeks skipped. All apologies.

The grapes are getting ripe, you can see, but we are a little late this year. Looks like Concord is a least a week away, and Vignoles more like two weeks away.

I'll keep you posted, and if you have any pull with the powers that be, ask them to kindly repair my internet.

July 26, 2008

As you can see, the grape cluster is not getting much bigger. Instead all the growth is now happening inside the grapes themselves. Sugar is rising and acid is decreasing, although you wouldn't know it if you ate one today. It would be way too sour. Some of the early ripening grapes are going through verasion now, though, so harvest is in sight. Time to ready the crush pad, order yeast, and clean some tanks.

Week Eight

Way Late

I'm a couple days late. I got messed up with that holiday. What was I thinking taking a day off like that? Now I'm all behind.

Anyway, here she is, the little beauty is growing up right before our very eyes.

Norton Bunch 6.27

much growth in 4 days, don't cha think?

6.23

We're back from vacation with loads to do today, and I'm not just talking laundry. Vines are being sprayed, grow tubes are being put on, unleaded gas is being delivered (that's a blow to the pocketbook) and wine is being racked. This little bunch sure did change while we were gone. Farm life is not put on hold until you return.

A day early

Here's the Norton bunch a day early this week because we head to the beach tonight. It's so hard to get away this time of year, but we can't go when the grapes are ripe, so we go while they are growing. This is the near end of bloom for this cute little Norton bunch. I'll be back in two Mondays.

Norton Bunch Week 3

Bloom!

Norton Grape Cluster, Take 2

When I took this picture this morning, I didn't think there had been much growth, but then looking at last week's picture, the change is subtle, but noticeable.

A Picture A Week

I would like to post a picture of this bunch of Norton grapes once a week, hopefully on Fridays. I took this picture last Friday, and you can see I'm already late, but I have good intentions. I think it will be fun for you and I to see the weekly progression of a bunch of grapes.

Stay posted.

Close up of Vignoles from a distance, plus a few Norton right in front

Pressing Norton

We pressed the Norton today. It was a small crop, but the color and taste were superb. Don't you love that garnet color?