As winter winds down on the North Fork, the vineyard is anything but quiet. This is when a lot of the foundational work happens—work that directly impacts how the vines grow and how the next vintage develops. Bud break is coming soon, but what we do now sets the stage for everything that follows.
As winter winds down on the North Fork, the vineyard is anything but quiet. This is when a lot of the foundational work happens—work that directly impacts how the vines grow and how the next vintage develops. Bud break is coming soon, but what we do now sets the stage for everything that follows.
If you drive by our vineyards this time of year, you’ll notice another important task underway: under-vine mulching.
All the canes we removed during pruning get mulched and returned to the vineyard floor instead of being discarded. This serves a few purposes:
It’s a practical way to close the loop—using what the vine produced last year to support the next season.
These efforts are part of our broader commitment to responsible farming. As proud members of the New York Sustainable Winegrowing program, we focus on practices that support long-term vineyard health, environmental stewardship, responsible farming, and wine quality.
That shows up in small, consistent decisions—how we manage soil, what we put into the vineyard, and how we maintain balance over time. The goal is simple: healthy vines that can produce quality fruit year after year.
While vineyard work is front and center, there’s also a lot happening behind the scenes.
Right now, we’re servicing tractors and equipment so everything is ready to go. Once bud break starts, timing becomes critical. Having reliable equipment means we can move quickly when the vineyard needs attention.
With pruning wrapped up and mulching underway, we’re in a good position heading into the growing season. Bud break is just around the corner, marking the official start of the vine’s annual cycle.
It’s still early, so there’s no way to predict how the season will unfold—but this is exactly where a strong vintage begins.
At the same time, there’s a lot happening in the winery. Over the next few months, we’ll be bottling:
Spring is one of the most interesting times to be on the North Fork. The crowds are lighter, and you can really see the vineyard transition from dormancy into the growing season. If you visit, you’ll catch the early stages—freshly tied vines, mulched rows, and the first signs of growth just starting to appear.
Whether you’re visiting the tasting room or following along from afar, we look forward to sharing this next chapter of the growing season, and the wines that come from it!
