{"id":1163,"date":"2021-02-26T19:35:11","date_gmt":"2021-02-26T19:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frankfamilyvineyards.com\/blog\/?p=1163"},"modified":"2021-12-13T23:49:40","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T23:49:40","slug":"a-year-in-the-life-cabernet-sauvignon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frankfamilyvineyards.com\/blog\/a-year-in-the-life-cabernet-sauvignon\/","title":{"rendered":"A Year in the Life of Cabernet Sauvignon: Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Each year around the end of November, the California temperatures begin to drop, and the last leaves fall from the grapevines. Autumn reds and oranges slowly slip into the distance and we welcome a new season: Winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the winter season in the Napa Valley is milder than in other parts of the country, our proximity to the San Pablo Bay leads to dense ocean fog rolling in on a daily occurrence. This in turn, leads to extreme temperature fluctuations with nighttime temperatures often dipping near or below freezing. Cold temperatures are what send the grapevines into their final stage in the growth cycle, and consequently where the next year\u2019s growth cycle will also begin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2021, we invite you to join us in following the journey of the Cabernet Sauvignon vines at our beloved Winston Hill Vineyard. Our blog will be updated as the seasons change, and we hope that you will check back often to see how the year and the vines progress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pre-pruned dormant Cabernet Sauvignon vines at Winston Hill Block 5 – February 9, 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Late November – Early March: Dormancy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dormancy is a sort of defense mechanism for the grapevine. This deep winter slumber is a way for the vine to rest, preserve energy, and protect itself from the harsh cold and potential frost that may come throughout the winter months. No vine growth will occur during this time. However, it is important for our vineyard crew to monitor daily temperatures because an unusual heat spike could lead to a shortened dormancy period, which could influence crop yield come the next fall\u2019s harvest. Ideally temperatures will stay cold enough to keep the vines dormant until the Spring. At our Winston Hill Vineyard, dormancy typically ends around early March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mustard cover crop at our Benjamin Vineyard in Rutherford – February 23, 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

While the vines are sleeping, other plants make their presence known in the vineyard. These cover crops<\/a> are here to replenish nutrients in the soil that have been depleted by vines throughout the growing season. At Winston Hill, we practice a no-till program, which allows native, volunteer cover crops to flourish from January through March. <\/p>\n\n\n\n