12 May Vineyard 101: Bud Break
After a cold, nail-biter of a week in late April, we are thrilled to report that we have bud break throughout the Heart & Hands Estate vineyard!
This year, we had an unseasonably warm March and early April, which brought the vine’s winter dormancy to a close. These warm temperatures roused the vines from their slumber, causing sap to move in the vine. As temperatures warm, the buds begin to swell and then ultimately “burst” or “break” and leaves begin to emerge, leaving the plants more vulnerable to cold. By mid-April, we had bud swell on both Pinot Noir and Riesling and about 1 centimeter of growth.
The weather forecast shifted in the middle of April, with worrisome sub-freezing temperatures in the forecast. On the evening of April 21st, the overnight forecast was 27 – 28 degrees Fahrenheit, with a northwest wind. We were hopeful that the warm(er) waters of Cayuga lake would protect the vineyard, but only time would tell. Tom checked our weather station in the morning and learned our temperatures were below freezing for half an hour, with a low of 28. At this point, all we could do was wait for warmer temperatures to arrive, and for the vines to begin growing again.
During the next few days, there was a gradual warming trend, along with a few more cold evenings. Fortunately, by the following week, signs of life began to emerge again in the vineyard. As of April 28th, we saw bud break resume sporadically in the vineyard:
April 28: Pinot Noir Bud Break in our lower block
About a week and a half later, we saw healthy growth throughout most of the vineyard, and we began to feel more optimistic about the vineyard’s potential.
May 9: Buds fully burst, and leaves beginning to emerge
Now that the buds have broken, the new leaves and shoots will grow extremely quickly for several weeks. It is a truly awe-inspiring time to be in the vineyard, as it rapidly transitions from dormant brown canes to a field filled with bright green vines, bursting with life.
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