Tom Scott Vineyard Newsletter - May 2012 - Barn Burner Cabernet Sauvignon
Dear Friends,
Our vintage 2012 Barn Burner is well under way!
This year it took us 8 weeks to prune our vines! The reason for the long pruning season was the large canopy of canes created by the vigorous growth of our vines last year, a year that brought us a near record rainfall of 41.65 inches. However, unlike last year, the weather while we were working this year was very pleasant (no hail and howling storms!) the exception being the last day when we worked 6 hours in the rain to get the job done. When we had finally finished, we had hauled 5 truckloads of canes from the field for composting.
 It's part of our farming practices to remove all canes, pruned, suckered or hedged from the vineyard. We call this maintaining a "clean" vineyard floor. This practice helps us hold down mildew threats as well as remove any material that may harbor voles or mice, pests that can potentially harm vines. This year to help with the removal of canes from the vineyard Tom came up with another one of his innovations. Not only is it fun, it's "green!" Tom took a used electric nursery cart and rebuilt it to use in the vineyard and generally around the grounds. He then added a "wagon train" of bins he can fill with cut canes. After the bin is full, the canes are bundled and tied for easy removal and placement in the truck. To help secure the bundles, Tom invented what Lauren calls the "Thomas Bundler." The "bundler" is hung from the side of the wagon, a strap is then pulled under the canes and attached to a winch and the strap is tightened creating a compact bundle that is tied off with a cord. Lauren, on the other hand, is still dragging a wagon, which has to be tied off and emptied four times more often than Tom's train. Tom wants to rebuild another electric cart for Lauren for next year, but so far she's resisting that innovation... she always was an old-fashioned girl!
Every year it's our job to respond to the conditions in our vineyard, and good farming practices necessitate we understand the history of the vineyard; knowing field conditions for previous years helps us anticipate or at least understand this year's conditions. In 2010 we had a cool slow growing season, and in 2011 we had record rains, including the first rain in June in 60 years. Due to the extensive rains last year, the vines not only had vigorous canopy growth but vigorous root growth; that expanded root system is contributing to this season's exuberant growth. As always, we'll be paying close attention to balancing the canopy growth by thinning the shoots, and in August by thinning or dropping fruit to balance the crop. Even with careful management, the expanded root system may deplete our ground water earlier than it has in previous years, and the vines may experience earlier or more severe water stress. We'll be looking for new flavors in 2012!
 So far, we've slipped through frost season with only three early - and minor - alerts at the beginning of April. We saw bud break in late March/early April in the Petite Verdot, Cab Franc and Merlot, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon in mid-April. We're now seeing flowering of the tiny grape clusters, again beginning first in the Petite Verdot, Cab Franc and Merlot.
The threat of damage from frost is almost behind us, but we still have to contend with potential wind damage. The vines are responding to the warm weather, sunshine and expanded root system by shooting up at a breakneck pace. As a result of this rapid growth, we're seeing some extra long new shoots. Unfortunately, they are often too fragile to tuck under the protective wires on our trellising, and as a result we've experienced some cane breakage due to the winds. We'll be out in the fields this week and next, carefully tucking and thinning the new growth, protecting the young shoots and working towards balance.
Each year as we've had more visitors come to visit us at Tom Scott Vineyard, we've taken great pleasure in sharing our experiences in the field as well as our wine. We welcome fine wine lovers to join us in the kitchen and the fields, and become part of our story at Tom Scott Vineyard.
 One last thing. This year, we are once again participating in the world famous Auction Napa Valley. We have donated ten cases from our 2010 vintage to the cause, with the top ten bids getting a case of Barn Burner at release. We will be offering barrel samples along with 99 other vintners on Friday, June 1st at Jarvis Winery in Napa, from 11am until 4pm.
We are also lot # 436 in the E-Auction! The bidding is open now. So, check it out. Bid early and bid often. We'd love to have you and your friends come visit us - and it's all for a good cause.
 Tom and Lauren Scott
www.tomscottvineyard.com
www.tomscottvineyard.com/wineshop
info@tomscottvineyard.com
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