Raven's Call

Raven's Call
Haida Raven

Friday, September 24, 2010

Getting close to harvest time!

Amazing how quickly the grapes are progressing. In just the last week, sugar levels have risen quite a bit, and the birds have found the Madeleine Angevine grapes (they are mostly about 15 Brix now). Last year (supposedly a far warmer summer with more degree days) I picked these the 27th of Sep, and they had 16.5 Brix, so these are pretty darn close to that.
Bird and rain damage
After noting the bird damage I decided we better cover all of them with bird netting.
The netted Madeleine Angevine Crop
 
The Regent grapes are turning rapidly, but are about a week behind the Mad Ang. But much more attractive!
 Regent grape crop
Regent Grapes
It's pretty easy to see why the varieties selected by WSU at Mt. Vernon for this area are preferred. Compare the two above with the Pinot noir from Willamette Valley.
Pinot noir 
 
Pinot blanc 
 Several of the grafted varieties that I have in test plantings had fruit this year.
Zweigelt rebe (a red, obviously)
 Pinot noir 71 (about the same as Pinot noir)
 Pinot noir Precoce (very much earlier - birds have really decimated this bunch)
 If the Madeleine Angevines keep splitting in the rain, I may decide to harvest them soon!

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