Last year 2014 it was reported to be the warmest on record. It is funny but since I have been recording rainfall totals, 2014 was also the wettest since 2002 when I started the recordings. We received a total of 1128.5 mm of rain in 2014.
The winter of 2013-2014 was very cold and long it started in mid November 2013 and lasted until March 2014 we haven't had a winter like that for about 20 years. We didn't have particularly cold temperatures (-19 C was the coldest)but the duration of the cold spells was notable.
The real problem with 2014 came in May, we had an unusually cold spring that seemed to drag on forever, but during the last week of May ( May 29-30) we had a cold snap where the temperature dipped below -3C which did a tremendous amount of damage all over the province, primary buds on the grape vines were killed in droves, which left everyone with the lesser quality secondary and tertiary buds, so right out of the starting gate we were down significantly in crop if no one left themselves some wiggle room by tying down extra buds, thankfully most growers here in NS realize this and give themselves more buds to start with to make up for any unexpected frost damage. Once the weather turned for the better it was really a very good growing year the quality of the crop was exceptional and the fall temperatures were mild and stayed until late October, after harvest we had lots of time for the vines to prepare themselves for the coming winter, so the vines went into this winter 2014-2015 in good to very good shape. All in all it was a good year in spite of the rough start.
The Pinot noir 828 was entering its 3 year last year and was in good shape so I tied down a half a crop where it was possible. I say where it was possible because I have Pinot noir 828 on 2 different rootstocks (in the same row) Riparia Glorie and 3309. The vines on 3309 looked as one would expect they would look for vines that are entering their 3rd year, the trunk size was good(1"+) and the canes were a good diameter as well about 5/16" so they were allowed to retain a half crop. The vines on Rg rootstock were noticeably smaller, they looked like they were entering their 2nd year instead of their 3rd, this was because they were grafted onto a devigorating rootstock(Rg) because of the smaller caliper size I didn't allow any of these vines to bear fruit. They will have a full crop this year. (unless the trunk size is still too small) I would rather error on the side of caution when it comes to tying down a full crop to give the roots more time to develop a strong root system, that way the vines will be in better shape to withstand any environmental challenges that may/will come their way. (at least that is the hope, a healthy plant will more easily handle adverse conditions than a vine that is less healthy)
The Chardonnays were also in their 3rd year and the vines looked very good, caliper size was about 5/16" which is a little large but that will work itself out as the vines will from now on have a full crop tied down. All in all I am happy with the quality of fruit that they are producing (so is the winery) and hope to continue being able to maintain this quality from year to year, as consistency is the most important factor that wineries are looking for.
I am looking forward to this year as it will be (for the most part) a full crop from here on in. I will be adding to the vineyard as soon as I remove some trees that are causing too much shade in the evening. This expansion will be a little over an acre in size when it happens.
I will add a few pictures that my brother-in-law Ed Dyer took this summer
Have a great year!
