Vineyard Update – Early Summer Momentum
The vineyard has really kicked into high gear! Compared to last year, we’re tracking right on schedule. Thanks to the warm weather, we’re seeing rapid shoot growth and steady fruit development across the blocks. This is one of the most dynamic periods in the growing season, and the vines are responding with vigor.
Right now, we’re in the middle of leafing—an essential task during this early development phase. By removing select leaves around the grape clusters, we expose the fruit to more direct sunlight. This exposure helps the grapes acclimate to the sun, making them more resilient to heat spikes and reducing the risk of sunburn later in the season. Leafing also improves airflow through the canopy, which is key in preventing fungal issues like powdery mildew and botrytis (also known as gray mold), a common vine disease that thrives in shaded, humid conditions.
A green Pinot Noir cluster after leafing. I’m looking forward to seeing these green grapes mature into beautiful cool climate Pinot Noir clusters!
While we manage the vineyard’s growth, we’re also busy in the cellar. Our team is hard at work blending and bottling the 2024 vintage in preparation for the upcoming harvest window in early September. Last year’s growing season was outstanding, and the resulting wines capture the elegance and nuance that define the Russian River Valley’s cool-climate signature—bright acidity, layered fruit character, and most importantly, a sense of place.
Sustainable Wine Growing
At our vineyard, sustainability is at the core of everything we do—from how we grow our grapes to how we support our people and community. We’ve created a dedicated wildlife corridor that allows native animals safe access to food and water, helping to preserve the natural ecosystem around us. Our approach to pest management is rooted in natural solutions: we attract raptors!
This is one of four owl boxes on the property. They house barn owls. A single family during a nesting season will hunt over one thousand rodents!
We also plant cover crops to keep vines healthy without relying on harmful chemicals. In fact, we maintain a strict “Red List” of prohibited substances, including glyphosate, to ensure we protect both the land and the people working it. Energy efficiency is another priority. We’ve outfitted our production facility with solar panels, rely on high-efficiency lighting, insulate our wine tanks to retain temperature, and minimize tractor use to reduce emissions. When it comes to water, we conserve every drop. Grasses are planted to reduce erosion, storm runoff is captured, and our drip irrigation systems are carefully monitored to water vines only when truly necessary. We measure and track water use in both the vineyard and winery to minimize waste.
To help conserve water we have two vine “stress” monitor probes imbedded in select vines. This, when combined with soil moisture probes reading down to 48 inches, gives us the data we need to only apply water to the vineyard when absolutely needed!
Our commitment extends beyond the vineyard rows. We take a long-term view of our business, treating employees with care and respect. Competitive wages, health benefits, education, and training are provided because we believe people are as essential to great wine as the vines themselves. We are constantly improving, updating our farming and winemaking practices each year to stay aligned with the latest scientific advancements and best practices. To ensure accountability and transparency, we undergo rigorous third-party audits and inspections. Sustainability for us isn’t a checklist—it’s a mindset!
On behalf of the entire team here at River Road Family Vineyards and Winery, we wish you all continued good health!
