So it begins. After years of making wine from bought grapes, finally, finally, I could plant my own vines. It only took buying a home with a quarter acre…minor details…
Here’s the first (long awaited) budding:
To plant the Pinot Blanc, I got lazy and only dug holes instead of the previous trench.
Luckily, the Pinot Blanc doesn’t care too much.
I will need to devise a drainage system, ground cover, posts, natural pesticide, and maybe hire those adorable pigmy sheep they use in New Zealand:
Check back in future Thursdays for more updates on my vineyard!
WAYWARD WINE 
Great video! Very exciting–can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
Thanks. Starting small to see who survives.
Sounds exciting! Can’t wait to see more video of the vines as they grow and how you choose to trellis them.
That’s the scary part. Everything is far too calm and picturesque at the moment.
You don’t get spring frosts much, right? That would be the biggest immediate issue to worry about in most places.
Would love to know more about your root stock choices and why you picked PN 115 & Pommard (out of all of the popular clones) – what will you anticipate from each?
Luckily, it is very mild here in the Willamette. Frosts usually don’t happen this late in the season (thanks coastal influence). I will have to fend off molds, mildews, and rot as it is very wet. Root-stock wise, I was stuck with what our nursery had: 101-14 Meunier and Pinot Noir 115; 3306 for Pommard, 1103p for riesling and chard; own roots for Pinot Blanc. These are all adapted to the NW but I need to do more research.
I am excited for you! Viticulture is intense under ideal conditions, I applaud your efforts and am happy to watch your progress,