A few bottles of Merlot 2015

Had to do some bottling to free up some space for this years wines.



Mean time out in the vineyard.... Today is the 3rd of Jan 2016.
That time of year, have finished with the leaf plucking. The bunches of Chambourcin are looking good. Have been spraying with copper to try and keep the black spot at bay. Seems to be working, as I have only seen a few spots.


Have trimmed back the tops of the vines, as at the moment they are going for it.

 The Merlot seemed to have done better this year. Did three sprays with Boron. The Kauri trees from the past stripped it all, then when they got exported they took the Boron with them. Boron helps with the fruit set. Still not 100% but better.

 The helper ( Jaz the wonder dog ) is seen here standing in the shade.

Will be putting the bird nets on soon. Hot and humid at the moment.

Pressing the Grapes to make wine.

After stripping the grapes off the stems and foot stomping to help break the skins, added the Lalvin EC 111-8 yeast. Stirred and plunged the marc twice a day. Then after 8 days onto the press.

Did you notice how much free run juice there is?
The second video shows more I hope!

The Grape Harvest of 2015

That time of year again.
The Brix levels are high this year, with constant readings of 26 +.

 Lifted off the bird netting on one side prior to picking.

The first of the freshly picked grapes in the buckets. Inside out of the sun. 

After a few hours of stripping the grapes off the stems, and the traditional feet stomping, The must has the yeast (EC 111-8) added and with a bit of a stir the wine cycle begins.

Vine Pruning time in Vineyard

How is it?
Hot up north still.
Time to do a bit of Vineyard pruning. The Vines are really going for it at the moment. Can hardly walk down the rows. Diving the quad and trailer down, you can get lost!.
Will need to put the bird nets on soon.

 

How is it?

20th December 2014. Bottling time as it's raining outside.
Have a few test Demijohns of this years Merlot. So today is as good as time as possible to bottle one off. Got 6 newish bottles, washed and ready to go.
Racked into these a good looking Merlot 14.

Had a little taste with some of the remaining ... Nice.
Cant wait for next year.
Very nice with some stinky blue vein cheese on soft crackers.

Grafting day has arrived for Apples.
A wet weekend so have decided to do some grafting between the showers of heavy rain.

Got 15 root stock from the stool bed this year. The pine sawdust has done its job well.

 Northern Spy root stock

A close-up of the root system

Grafted onto these cuttings of some of my apple trees from the home orchard.

Pricilla (American)

Royal Gala

Monthys Surprise (Kiwi cancer fighter supreme)

Peas Good Non Such (Pommy)

Granny Smith (Ozzy)

Used some new grafting tape, white in colour. Seems to hold up OK. Will see how good it works on the grafts in a few months. Used a splice graft.

Spring 2014 in the Vineyard

September 21st 2014
 Spring is happening in the vineyard!
Merlot vines are starting to come to life.

The buds have turned into leaves and small bunches of yet to be grapes

 The day light hours are getting longer 

The spring rain is slow to drain away as the soil is very wet!

 The grass is starting to go into rapid growth mode.

Looking along the rows things are getting green. Come on summer.