Time for a quick check in on my vines now and how they’re doing in the blisteringly warm June sunshine. Temperatures throughout the month have been at record breaking levels, with many days hovering in the high 20’s, and nights staying in double figures.
The main activity this month has been trimming back the increasing level of vigour and growth, allowing the remaining vines to focus their energy, which will help the clusters to continue developing.
Whilst the Chardonnay is progressing OK, my Ortega is looking like it is going to be somewhat lacklustre this year, and there’s limited clusters coming through for whatever reason. It’s been growing vigorously enough, but does get a lot of attention from mites, hence the blotchy leaves in the picture below.
The lack of potential Ortega grapes is well offset by my MVN3 which is getting itself ready to deliver a huge crop, so it’s a shame that I still don’t know which variety it is. These vines were planted one year ahead of my Chardonnay and Ortega vines and so has a little more maturity to it, which may be helping.
Whilst allowing the lack of natural water to stress the vines just enough to promote growth, occasional watering is taking place so as not to dry them out completely. Temperatures are set to hit 30° C this weekend, and the uninterrupted sunshine is set to continue as far as current forecasts go.
Summer is well and truly here!