After a long dry growing season last year, we have endured a droughty winter in the Shenandoah Valley. Here at the north end, we received only eight inches of rain between November and February. Further south, as little
as five inches of rain fell. This will doubtless have a debilitating effect on young vines and those on shallow soils. The results may not show until mid to late spring, when vines fail to thrive.

But hope springs eternal in the human breast! We have had good rain in March, just in time for the growing season. One can tell that the groundwater has—at least temporarily–been recharged, because the small, seasonal creeks are now flowing for the first time since last summer.

The winter was consistently cold, so no one is reporting any trunk splitting from early sap flows. The glassy-winged sharpshooter apparently will be held at bay in the Shenandoah Valley for another year, because we all had multiple nights below the critical temperature of 15 F. Our lowest overnight temperature of 2F appears to be about the lowest in the valley, and it was in the middle of January when the vines were sufficiently winterized. Our own pruning continues to show minimal trunk or cordon damage.

As I write this in mid-March, the forsythia hasn’t bloomed yet, and our vines typically leaf out about 4 weeks after the forsythia flush.So like all other growers, we hope for cool,cloudy, windy, rainy temperatures for the next month, only then to be followed by glorious sunshine and warmth. The harbingers of spring— Washington D.C.’s cherry blossoms — are currently forecast for an early appearance. We hope that schedule doesn’t extend over the Blue Ridge into our valley.
Most of the winter activity has been the unglorious, but necessary (and sometimes, personally fulfilling) tasks of maintenance:

  • Mending trellis – straightening slanted – straightening slanted posts, splicing wire
  • Training young replacement vines
  • Repairing/tuning equipment
  • Grading roads (no fulfillment here)
  • Ordering supplies – fertilizers and spray materials

Wineries in the Valley report a few small vineyards being established, but the growth of years past has slowed. North Mountain reports they have purchased an additional 22 acres of excellent vineyard land and have begun planting. The first blocks are Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. An original vineyard block of Vidal Blanc there has been removed, and will be replanted next spring.

As this spring progresses, come out to our verdant valley and take in our vistas. See what brought us to and keeps us in this bountiful