May
After an unusually wet April, our Dollarhide team is playing catch-up in the month of May. Many tasks slated for April were postponed thanks to six inches of rainfall last month. This month, our crews continue with suckering, fertigation (adding fertilizer through the irrigation), and cultivation in all the vineyards. Along with these projects, replanting and top grafting will take place in May. This month finds many new insects abuzz in the vineyard. Many species of beneficial insects begin to lay eggs now that will mature once the weather warms up. These insects are very important in controlling the populations of problem insects. May is also a time for big change in grapevine physiology. The shoots are rapidly growing and the clusters begin to bloom.

Replanting is the act of replacing unhealthy vines with healthy vines. Dead and sick vines are removed in a specific parcel and young vines are planted in their place. This ensures a healthy parcel and allows a vineyard to reach its maximum potential year after year.

Top grafting allows a more desirable grape variety to be exchanged for the present variety without much down time for the vineyard. The head of the original vine is cut off and two buds are grafted to the base of the vine (see photo). The buds develop rapidly because the vine already has a well-established root system (giving buds nutrients and water necessary for development). By top grafting, the vine can be back into production in a year or two, compared to the three or four years it takes a newly-planted young vine to develop.

Beneficial insects will soon make their way from the vineyard floor and cover crop onto the vine canopy. These insects are great assets to our sustainable pest program in that they are voracious eaters of many vineyard pests. Many beneficial insects such as the convergent lady beetle Hippodamia convergens (see photos), the soldier beetle Cantharis sp. (see photo), and the minute pirate bug Orius tristicolor, are found throughout our vineyards. With warm weather, these insects will begin to mate and lay eggs. In its larval stage, the lady beetle is predatory and can be seen (above ground) devouring the eggs and adult versions of vineyard pests. (Once the lady beetle reaches adulthood, it feeds on nectar.) These insects, along with many others, prey on the primary vineyard pests including leafhoppers and mites. By assuring a hospitable environment for these predators, pest populations can be kept under damage thresholds naturally.

The biggest change to the grapevine in the month of May is the commencement of bloom. The onset of bloom usually occurs between the middle and end of May. Once the flower is pollinated the berry sets and it is on its way to a life as a premium Napa Valley grape. This begins the berry’s long journey into a special bottle of wine.

Newly grafted bud onto trunk

Lady Beetle ready for action

Soldier Beetle reporting for duty

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