by Brent on July 25, 2012 in Featured, From the Vineyards
We constantly experiment in the vineyards, always seeking ways to improve fruit quality and uniformity of the grape clusters–which ultimately leads to a higher quality wine. Trying to push the bar even higher with Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon is no easy task. We use precision farming techniques based on our soil mapping study and continue to [...]
by Brent on July 7, 2011 in From the Vineyards
In May, we embarked on our first grapevine grafting project since completion of the Jordan Estate soil mapping study. Using results from the study, we identified certain vineyard blocks, which had soil composition more suitable to Petit Verdot and Malbec. Technology is a beautiful thing. Approximately 3.2 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon were earmarked for grafting to Malbec, and roughly 3.3 [...]
by Brent on October 15, 2010 in From the Vineyards
We’ve nearly completed a comprehensive soil mapping study of every Jordan estate vineyard block. What does that mean? We’re rediscovering our dirt to continue elevating grape quality. When I started working at Jordan in 2008, I asked Winemaker Rob Davis how I could work in the vineyards to help him achieve his winemaking goals. He explained how [...]
by Dana on September 20, 2010 in From the Vineyards
Weather forecasters reported that a storm would roll through Sonoma County wine country last weekend. Needless to say, we were concerned — but we were also prepared. Working in vineyards where nature and nurture go hand in hand requires constant attention and adaptability. Thankfully, the storm broke up as it came inland, and the rainfall totals were MUCH less [...]
by Brent on September 1, 2010 in From the Vineyards
As part of our quest to continuously improve wine quality, we embarked on a soil mapping study of our estate vineyards in 2009. That summer, John Jordan began taking Assistant Winemaker Ronald Du Preez and myself up in his Beechcraft Bonanza airplane to access our vineyard blocks from a bird’s eye view. The aerial view [...]
by Ronald on August 24, 2010 in From the Vineyards
In last week’s video on leaf pulling, we mentioned that summer temperatures in Northern Sonoma County have been 10-20 degrees below normal. Veraison, when the green grapes change color and increase their sugar levels, started the first week in August. As a rule of thumb, harvest begins roughly six weeks after 100 percent veraison. What [...]
by Brent on August 10, 2010 in From the Vineyards
After the grapes bloom and tiny berries form into full grape clusters, it’s time for the important practice of leaf pulling, captured in the above video. Our vineyard team pulls leaves away from the area just above a grapevine’s cordon, or arms, where grape clusters grow. Removing targeted leaves allows for increased air movement and [...]
by Dana on July 26, 2010 in From the Vineyards
Composting is an integral part of our farming practices as a sustainable winery. We began applying compost to our estate vineyards in 2004 and making our own compost pile on the property the following year (video tips below). A natural fertilizer, compost promotes vine and soil health. Healthy grapevines yield higher quality fruit desired to [...]
by Dana on July 1, 2010 in From the Vineyards
Wet, warm spring weather throughout April and May delayed flowering, or bloom, in our vineyards by two weeks. (While rainfall during spring was unseasonably high, overall rainfall levels for the year were ample and welcomed after several drought years.) When the warm weather finally arrived in early June, both Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon clusters bloomed [...]
by Dana on June 10, 2010 in From the Vineyards
Watch the suckering process in this video to learn why shoot thinning is so important to making quality wine. The three most important vineyard management steps in the annual lifecycle of a grapevine are pruning in the winter, suckering (also known as shoot thinning) in the spring, and of course, harvest in the fall. The [...]
