Dear Friends,
A New Vintage is begun!
It's not true that we actually waited for the rain before we started pruning; it just turned out that way. March has roared in like a lion and we're pruning the vineyard rain and shine!
 That's what makes life an adventure. The big news is that we're pruning and the 2009 vintage is officially begun! Release date, October 2012!
All this recent rain is bringing the ground water table up, good news for the vineyard. We don't water the vines until after "verasion" (when the berries turn from green to purple), which occurs in late July, and then only when the vines show signs of stress. Ground water replenished by the rain is what's fueling all the initial growth of the plants and set of the fruit. While water stressed vines produce smaller berries, which add to the complexity and color intensity of the wine, the key is "moderately stressed." And like most things in life, timing rules the day. So, we monitor the plants very closely, and at just the right time give them just enough water.
 But we're getting ahead of our selves.. we've just started pruning and expect the process to take the month of March. Since we (Tom and Lauren) actually do all the pruning ourselves and it takes us five minutes a plant times 2,000 plants.. well, you get the picture - we're pruning the entire month! We believe pruning is the most important step in producing truly fine fruit and therefore a truly fine wine. We are determining the balance and structure of the plant, the size of the crop and we're also setting the stage for next year's crop by leaving two bud spurs that will develop into future fruiting positions.
Rain or shine, you'll know where we'll be this month. We have to admit there's no place we'd rather be than in the vineyard; it's always beautiful and interesting. So, join us at of the day as we raise our glasses of Barn Burner and toast to "getting it done" and of course "love."
If you didn't already know, our online wine store is open and ready for visitors. Come see what we have to offer in the way of fine wine and special gifts.
We hope you enjoy hearing from us occasionally. Please come by and visit us the next time you're in the Napa Valley.
Tom and Lauren Scott
www.tomscottvineyard.com
www.tomscottvineyard.com/store
info@tomscottvineyard.com
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