Covert Operative: Welcome to your Summer 2024 “Mission”
“Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig. I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.”
-Epictetus
As you may recall from our Spring blog we were going into the season with cautious optimism. Well that has come to fruition. Most of our vineyards have bounced back vigorously and are setting up for a healthy crop next year, but without a crop this year. Our plan to not open the tasting room this summer has turned out to be a good one. We have sufficient inventory to get through 2024/25 for our Club Members and wholesale customers around the province.
Sadly, the Zinfandel and Syrah Clone 99 didn’t make it through the winter and had very light crops the season prior. Both of these blocks will need replanting 🙁 . As with any replanting it gives us a chance of reflection on what to do next. There are some new clones with virus resistance that can be more productive that what we currently grow. For example Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 1125 is something we are considering to replace the Syrah.
In addition to varietal/clone changes we are looking at the entire growing system. Mark Neal from Napa has developed a duel variety cropping system that may be something for us to consider. His system seems to produce both quality and quantity under organic management.
Cheers
Gene and Shelly Covert
