Gaining momentum...

Hired our full-time vineyard manager:  April 1.

First water from new well: May 6.  

First snake: April 26.   13 rattlers this season total.

Other property residents were less annoying this year:  Turkeys never showed up post-veraison, and last year's coyote clan and wild pigs were scarce and did far less damage to irrigation.  New permanent residents were less scary and more inspiring: 2 hawks, 3 owls, 11 deer, and squirrels galore.

Bud break: March 11 (Syrah) and March 20 (Tannat).

First picks: August 10 (Syrah) and Sept 4 (Tannat).