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20 WINES&VINES May 2017 WINE INDUSTRY NEWS S an Rafael, Calif.—Wine grape vineyards continued the march toward flower- ing and fruit set across California, with many growers reporting that after years of drought their vines have returned to a more typical growth schedule. Monte de Oro Winery produces some 12,000 cases from its 72 acres of vineyards in Southern California's Temecula Valley. Winemaker David Albright said although he'd expected the winter rains to delay bud break, this year's debut was similar to that of recent years. The rains were sorely needed, he said. During the drought years, salts were not being leached from the soils. "We may see results in two to three years," thanks to this winter's generous precipitation this winter, Albright predicted. Further north in Paso Robles, Calif., Rabbit Ridge Winery & Vineyards produces some 80,000 cases per year from 500 acres of vines. As of March 20, wine- maker/vineyard manager Erich Russell said that bud break was 9 0 % - 1 0 0 % c o m p l e t e a t t h e "home" vineyard, the southern- most and coolest of the blocks. Reflecting on the past two years, Russell said bud break came later this year, but more along a normal timeline. In 2015, bud break began in early February. Russell, too, is happy to have soil salts washed away: Heavy ac- cumulations had caused him to quit growing grapevines on about 120 acres. He hopes to replant, but will wait to see how his wells perform this summer. From Monterey County, De Tierra Vineyard in Salinas, Calif., produces 3,000 cases per year from 12 vineyard acres. Owner Anna Russell reported that seeing bud break in mid-March was more like an average season than the past two years, which saw bud break two weeks early. De Tierra's vineyard acres ap- pear to be in good shape, but she's waiting to see fruit set and expects still more rain. Bill Brousseau, director of wine- making at Testarossa Winery in Los Gatos (Santa Cruz Mountains AVA), said he produces its 24,000 cases of mostly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with grapes sourced from 150 acres in 28 different vine- yards scattered throughout Califor- nia's Central Coast region. He said bud break in every vineyard occurred two to four weeks later than the past two years, but closer to an average year, when buds start breaking around the end of February. "The closer you are to the ocean, the earlier it happens," he observed, characterizing bud break as a function of soil temperature. The Livermore Valley Wine- growers Association reported that Las Positas Vineyards spotted the first bud break on its Chardonnay and Nebbiolo vines March 6, which was similar timing to recent years. Las Positas produces 3,000 cases per year and farms 34 vine- yard acres. —Jane Firstenfeld Vineyards Return to Normal, Slightly Later Growing Schedule TRIMMER SIMPLE AND FAST MULTIVITI FRAME BENEFITS: Use your existing in-row tractor Wide selection of implements Industry-leading technology Quick 3 Minute tool changes L e a f Pu l l in g • S pr a y i n g P r e - P r u n in g • Pr un i n g W ire -l i f t in g • S p r a yi ng H a r ves ti n g • S p r e a d i n g Pinot Noir buds for Testarossa Win- ery break at Tondre Grapefield in the Santa Lucia Highlands.