Spring at The Vineyard Too many things going on at the vineyard, from pruning, shredding, weed wacking, composting, checking the water system , controlling the erosion, trees falling & fence repair, were the few things we are facing due to the extensive rains & winds of 2022-23. In 18 years, we have never seen a deer in our vineyard until this year!! The cool weather had our bud break be pushed back at least 2 weeks! that means our harvest will be delayed. Not to mention the bottling of our 2015 wines on its way this spring! Sara & Sasha Captain Moved in early January to participate & help in the fun & work at Captain Vineyards. They have already...
Captain Vineyards slow Aging Barrels Natural wine is widely debated. The problem is that natural wine, though a viticultural and winemaking practice for more than 70 years, has never been legislated. Its existence and practice are, therefore, based on a philosophy that each winegrower can interpret in their own way. For the consumer, there is no set standard that guarantees an intersection of the growing practices and conduct of the winemaker. There is no ethical promise of wine that will be consumed under the label “natural wine.” Most followers of the movement believe “natural wine” is a wine without synthetic chemicals or oenological inputs, made from organic grapes that are harvested by hand. This very broad definition does not contain...
Sasha Captain The past few years have been stressful, and we’ve all found different ways of coping. You may have picked up new habits — some that are healthy and some that aren’t as healthy. Maybe you’re taking daily walks. Binging more TV. Prioritizing time with family. Or having a few glasses of wine a night. Many people have an occasional glass of wine or alcoholic drink when spending time with friends or relaxing. But if you’re drinking more alcohol than you used to, you’re not alone. "The pandemic’s effect on alcohol use has been devastating," says Reham Attia, MD, an addiction medicine specialist at Kaiser Permanente. By the end of 2020, 39% of people were drinking more than recommended.1 Women...
The Vineyard has been pruned mid February, the weeds cut, last years shoots shredded. Waiting for bud break of 2022. It has been a very dry & warm February & March. Lucky for us, we harvested as much of the water we can from the December rain pour we had. We used our emptied wine tanks & wine bins to collect the water. As time passed, we had to use some of the wine to water the plants & to let go of it to the vineyard. We anticipate a dry year yet again. the experts are predicting the difficulty growers will face for the 2022 vintage. At Captain Vineyards, many of the activities are done by a...
Where to Find California Wineries with Fun for All | Wine Institute SAN FRANCICSO — Many moms and dads visit California wine country for much-needed “grown-up” time in one of the world’s most beautiful wine regions, but many don’t realize that dozens of the state’s wineries offer special activities and accommodations for kids. While adults sample the latest vintages, children can have their own fun tasting grape juice, romping in play areas, visiting with farm animals and playing outdoor games. Before embarking on a fun family outing in California’s wine country, Wine Institute recommends that parents call ahead or check the winery website to make sure minors are welcome. Some don’t allow guests under age 21 due to liability concerns or preference. Once kids get the green light, they’ll be able to join you at the winery, and can often participate in vineyard and winery tours. Among many wineries in California, Captain Vineyards of Contra Costa was featured Captain Vineyards of Moraga, Contra...
