We finished pruning all three vineyards in February and have just about completed discing to remove all the weed growth.   The vines began budding on March 15th, which is early due to the warm and dry winter we’ve experienced in Paso Robles.   We now have to keep a watchful eye for frost, although most of our grapes are on moderate to very steep hillsides so frost is not usually a problem.   If the spring is cool it could extend the growing season and be very beneficial to the vines.

We recently received a shipment of 9,500 Lavender du Provence plants that are being planted in all our vineyards and around the winery to stimulate the fragrance in the air similar to Europe.

We just finished planting another olive orchard block consisting of one thousand Italian varietals.   They were planted to supplement the trees already in the ground in areas surrounding the winery and the Live Oak vineyard.

On May 1, we will begin planting grapes on the uphill 150 acres behind the winery.   The land is currently ripped, staked and drip irrigation is in.   We are just waiting for the weather to warm up slightly and then we will begin to plant.   Once the planting is started we will begin to develop the last 60 acres at the Live Oak property – ripping the ground, terracing, installing irrigation, surveying, staking, end posts, wire and drip hose.   We will plant this ground next year.   Also at Live Oak we will plant another five to ten acres of Italian olive trees mostly Frantoio and Maurino.

2003 Vintage Update:   We are tasting our 2003 red wines, which are currently in barrels and tanks.   We are happy to report that the 2003 vintage will surpass the 2001 and 2002 Paso Robles Wines.