May 9, 2013 | by Lisa Mattson

For a few years, we’ve experimented with time-lapse video around Jordan Estate. The time-lapse shooting process required daily attention–a Canon 5D camera had to be set-up each morning and removed at night to protect it from the elements–which was easy to do when capturing the winery chateau changing colors during fall and much more challenging when shooting time lapse of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes going through veraison out in the vineyards.

Then we had an idea for a new video project: time lapse a grapevine growing for an entire year–from spring bud burst (or bud break) to winter pruning. No easy feat, but we’re always up for a challenge.

First, we knew we needed a new time-lapse camera set-up. Luckily, high-definition, time-lapse video camera technology has been improving in recent years. I’d tried to find a weatherproof, battery-powered HD camera for an outdoor video project three years ago and had no luck. Enter Brinno. It’s no Canon 5D in terms of picture quality, but for a pint-sized camera that runs on batteries and can stay out in the vineyard for four months before needing a battery change, we couldn’t help but test it out. The first three weeks of the bud burst video are pictured above. What do you think?

We can’t wait to see the plants go through flowering and the grapes begin to form. Stay tuned for more updates.