As I write this blog from Greenwich, CT, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I find myself reflecting on our 2024 growing season. This year, we were fortunate to experience tempered and reasonable weather throughout the season. Bud break unfolded as expected, between the middle and end of March, marking the start of a steady and promising cycle. With 26.9 inches of rain, our commitment to dry farming played a vital role in managing water use sustainably. The compost coco we applied last year was well-integrated into the soil, nourishing it, though some was naturally carried off by the wind. It's always a reminder of nature’s rhythm and the delicate balance we strive to maintain. Our winemaker, Sal, faced a...
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...
