Our vineyard is planted on a south-facing 3 acre slope behind the winery.
The vines are on 101-14 rootstock and the Merlot clones are a blend of
the French 181 and the Italian Rauscedo 9. The vineyard is narrowly
spaced with 6 feet between rows and 4 feet between individual vines.
The row direction is northeast/southwest and the soil is a clay loam. In addition to Merlot, the vineyard contains several rows of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, and Viognier.
Careful attention is used in managing irrigation. Vines are given the minimum water they need and less water is used as harvest approaches. Leaf vapor pressures are used to gauge the water needs of each vine. Petiole analysis guides the use of nutrient additions.
Because we realize that winemaking begins in the vineyard, our viticultural approach is more like gardening than farming. We are committed to using sustainable techniques that produce the highest quality grapes and also contribute to a healthy planet.
Discussing viticulture with a Bottle Your Own Barrel group in the Vineyard
 Alfonso Elena, Vineyard Manager |  |