Well, the heaviest lifting (literal and figurative) of the pre-harvest season is all but finished. The wires have been lifted and leaves have been pulled where needed, and it looks like the grapes have entered their lag phase. The term “lag phase” refers to a period in the growth of wine grapes between the cessation of cell division (which is the method of growth utilized by grapes after fruit set has completed) and the onset of veraison. During lag phase the grapes continue to grow, but via cell enlargement, rather than via division.

What this means for us on a practical level is that we have to wait for the next visible sign of growth in the grapes, which is veraison, when the grapes begin to take on the colors of fully-ripened fruit. This doesn’t mean we’re taking a break, though! There’s still plenty of work to be done, especially in our baby vineyards.