Budbreak!

With the warm temps we have had lately the vines have finally awoken. Yesterday, we saw the first signs of budbreak in the chardonnay, which is almost always first to show leafs with pinot noir following closely behind. This is a new record for the Stowe Vineyard: the latest we have ever had budbreak. Before this year budbreak occurred as late as May 2nd and as early as April 11th with the average falling around the 27th of April. Better pray for no more below freezing temps!

Here is a shot of a newly trained chardonnay vine. Although it may seem small now, this marks the birth of the 2009 vintage. (By the way, click of the photo for an extremely large and detailed view)
Here is another photo of a concord vine in the garden. Notice how the buds look like a balloons about to pop.