As of mid-August, our vineyard is in excellent shape, setting the stage for what could be a standout vintage here on the North Fork. While the season began with a slow, cool spring, the vines have since caught up—building a full canopy, setting a healthy crop, and now moving steadily toward ripening.

One of the key tasks in the vineyard right now is bird netting. As the grapes begin to sweeten, they become irresistible to local wildlife, so our team is busy lifting and securing nets to protect the fruit. Alongside this, we’ve maintained a strict spray program to keep common vineyard challenges—fungal diseases and insect pressure—well under control.

A critical part of this year’s vineyard management has also been leaf removal in the fruiting zone. By opening up a 12-inch band around the clusters, we achieve several important goals:

• Airflow: Better wind penetration reduces humidity and helps prevent fungal issues.

• Spray coverage: With fewer leaves blocking the fruit, protective sprays reach the clusters more effectively.

• Sunlight exposure: Direct UV light increases berry temperature, speeds ripening, and in red grapes, plays a key role in developing tannins, which provide structure and age-worthiness to the finished wine.

This attention to detail is what allows the vineyard to move from healthy fruit set to balanced, ripe fruit ready for harvest.

Looking ahead, the next 4–8 weeks will be decisive. While vineyard work and canopy management set the stage, the weather in late August and September ultimately determines fruit quality. Warm, sunny days with cool nights are ideal, concentrating sugars and flavors while preserving acidity.

As of now, we’re optimistic about 2025—it’s shaping up to be a very good year. Still, as every grower knows, the true measure of a vintage only comes when the final cluster is picked and brought into the winery.

Here’s to a strong finish to the growing season and another promising harvest on the North Fork.