The vineyard team has been hard at work pruning the vines over the past few weeks...getting them ready for new spring growth. After last week’s torrential rains and winds, we are enjoying some spring weather this week. I wouldn't be surprised if we start to see budbreak sometime soon.

Most of the vines in the Clos LaChance Estate Vineyard in San Martin are "spur" pruned. The technique our crews use is tried and true, originating in France at the end of the 19th century. The cordons (arms) are trained along a wire. The spurs arise along each cordon. Each spur is cut to include only two buds. Each bud on a two-bud spur typically produces one shoot. See my fancy doctored up picture for a visual example.

Cane pruning is another method developed by the French. Each vine is pruned to one cane with 6-8 buds and one spur with 2 buds. We use cane pruning in our Semillon block, cutting the canes a few weeks before harvest to create the dried-up grapes that make the delicious Nectar dessert wine (more on that later!).

In a nutshell, pruning is an important part of the grape-growing process. When vines are pruned correctly, most of the buds will burst successfully and the shoots will be vigorous. However, if a vine is pruned too lightly, too many buds will burst, causing an overabundance of shoots and berries. Because the plants energy is limited, the shoots will be shorter and the number of grapes and size will be smaller. However, the yield of the grapes will be larger--threatening the completion of ripening.

Amber the Winery dog turned 10 last week.  She was adopted from a former vineyard manager of Clos LaChance when she was just a runt puppy. Amber has made a number of signifigant contributions to Clos LaChance, including: 

-Stealing food off desks, the table, out of trash cans.
-Barking at unfamiliar men that come in the front door. Although not at unfamilar women. 
-Having serious gas issues when we are closed up in the conference room for a marathon staff meeting. 
-Weaseling a treat after going potty outside. (Isn't that what dogs are supposed to do?)
-Licking faces. 

For this we thank you Amber, and hold a party to celebrate your 10th birthday. You are becoming an old lady (70 years by my dog-year calculator), somewhat grumpy, especially with all the new dogs coming to visit. But we love you always.

The third vintage of Amber's Cuvee Sparkling Wine (Blanc de Blanc from the Santa Cruz Mountains) will be released later this year.

 Amber the Winery dog turned 10 last week.  She was adopted from a former vineyard manager of Clos LaChance when she was just a runt puppy. Amber has made a number of significant contributions to Clos LaChance, including: 

-Stealing food off desks, the table, out of trash cans.
-Barking at unfamiliar men that come in the front door. Although not at unfamiliar women. 
-Having serious gas issues when we are closed up in the conference room for a marathon staff meeting. 
-Weaseling a treat after going potty outside. (Isn't that what dogs are supposed to do?)
-Licking faces. 

For this we thank you Amber, and hold a party to celebrate your 10th birthday. You are becoming an old lady (70 years by my dog-year calculator), somewhat grumpy, especially with all the new dogs coming to visit. But we love you always.

The third vintage of Amber's Cuvee Sparkling Wine (Blanc de Blanc from the Santa Cruz Mountains) will be released later this year.

Yesterday was one of those days that I recognize what a great job I have. I spent the entire day at a beautiful restaurant in San Francisco eating a 6-course lunch and having insightful discussions about wine and fine dining with industry experts.  Clos LaChance hosted a media/trade luncheon for 15 or so people at Conduit, a new restaurant on 14th and Valencia. If you haven't been there, I highly recommend it. Check out the menu and wine pairings:

Crab salad with basil aioli
2005 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

Seared Maine Scallops with maitake mushroom salad and garlic
2005 Liebeler Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains

Tortellini French Onion Soup
2005 Estate Grenache

Lamb Loin sous vide piquello relish broccoli de ciccio
2005 Estate Syrah
2005 Special Selection Series Rhone Blend, Lila's Cuvee

Braised Short Ribs with yukon mousseline and parsley pesto
2004 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Special Selection Series Meritage

Chocolate espresso cake with stracciatella ice cream
2005 Estate Petite Sirah

The purpose of this event was to introduce key industry journalists and distributors to Stephen, our new Estate wines and the future of Clos LaChance. I had to give a little introduction about the winery--but lets face it, these folks were not here to see me....they were here to meet with Stephen and taste his wines. I kept it short and sweet....then sat back and enjoyed.