WilhelmPruning is a critical process in the production of premium wines. Grapevines are similar to the more commonly known rose bushes that need spring pruning. The goal is to cut back the previous year’s growth, help store carbohydrates, shape the promote high-quality fruit sets and structure the vine to grow a healthy crop but more…
Picking the right location is a critical step in a successful and fruitful operation. We felt as if we accomplished adequate research when we were deciding on our location. With that be said, remember that achieving everything might be difficult. Be prepared for give and take as you move forward. Here are a few things…
As any typical man, I thought I needed a full complement of tractors and associated attachments, aka implements. Instead, I spent more time and money re-tooling the vineyard equipment to what I needed versus wanted. Here is a must-have. I use the compost spreader multiple times each year. More specifically, I spread chicken manure in…
There is an enormous amount of thought that must go into your decision before building and developing an estate vineyard and winery. Doing so in Sonoita, Arizona is even more difficult than most areas. Don’t rush your decision. Make sure you are asking yourself the really hard questions – we did not. We often wish…
Karyl and I met in Desert Storm. We’ve been happily married now for 28 years. We are definitely partners in this operation. Karyl is arguably one of the best winemakers and is completely self-taught. She attended the U.C. Davis Winemaking Accreditation course to better her understanding of the intricate details of winemaking. Her engineering degree…
We have been asked to document our lessons learned. Hopefully our posts will guide others in making better decisions and avoiding the pitfalls of others. The last 15 years of developing a vineyard and winery has been chocked full of unimaginable experiences. As a family, we’ve learned a lot about ourselves and the resolve of…