Hazel travels to her grandparents' vineyard in Moraga, where she helps protect the grapes from birds and measures their sugar levels with a refractometer. She enjoys the hands-on experience and looks forward to coming back next year.
Twelve-year-old Camille, the granddaughter of the owners of Captain Vineyards in Northern California, shares her love for visiting the vineyard each year, where she enjoys the beautiful scenery, wildlife, and family traditions. Her vivid memories include morning walks, mountain lion sightings, and sneaking oranges from the trees, making the vineyard a place of beauty and peace.
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...
Each year brings with it a unique weather condition which translates into a unique grape chemistry, in turn brings the unique wine of the year. This year is no exception. Generally the weather has been moderate, as of date, the highs in 80ies and lowes in the 50ies. Due to the 26-28 inches of rain in Moraga, our dry farmed vines have not shown the need of water until late August. Yes, we did have some fog hanging over the vines throughout the season to color the sky & give our vines the bit of hydration which our California climate desperately needs in the summer. We have stopped using any form of fertilizer since 2010 except shreddings & compost....
May 2024, Captain Vineyards appeared on NBC Los Angeles, channel 4, California-live, to promote the sustainable wine movement in California. Captain Vineyards, has been, since 2005, pioneering in promoting green, sustainable way of wine growing, wine making & a way life.
Captain Vineyards on NBC
