Wine and food have always been a passion for us throughout our relationship and marriage. After some travels over to France and New Zealand I got the bug to try and grow some vine's and make my our wine. We are coming into our seventh year of marriage so my wife likes to joke about this vineyard being our "seven year itch."
I read a few great books on the subject and contacted our local extension office over the past winter, along with many conversations with local wineries and vineyards (not many, but it's growing area in Wisconsin).We decided, or in otherwords I convinced my wife that we should plant 90 plants this spring if we want to get wine by the time Broderick starts School:) He's almost 2.
The reason for the amount of rows and varieties is because frankly Nine rows look nice on the property and Amy and I drink a lot of red, robust, rustic wine with full bodies and lots of curves.
I rented the "TORO DINGO" to drill 60 holes 3 ft deep for the trellis post to go in. It was a weird May weather; with storms, frosts, hail, and tornadoes oh my... I watched the weather by the hour to figure when I could get into the vineyard to work. I had a deadline because you have to order your vines ahead of time and the delivery date is set. I also work 40 hours, and have a 20 month old so timing was everything. I had to rip-up sod, prepare the soil, and wanted to get the post in before the plants arrived.
Posts were in the ground and plants arrived. Now how do I prune these things for planting? with all the research I did, I was still nervous pruning the plants back enough; but not too much for initial planting. they looked like twigs in the ground and wondered if they would even grow.
We invited friends over this years memorial day to plant. we had a great turn out and made food afterwords and drank into the night. they were a bit upset because I think I picked the hottest day to plant. It went well.
It's been about a month and half and all the plants came up, some at the top of the grow tubes (36"). Well, not all the plants, One didn't make it, I think, because it still looks like a twig. 89 out of 90 is pretty good. Funny thing is I think I planted that one first, trying to show everyone else helping how to plant the vine. hopefully this is not a Oman for my skills as a vintner to come. Let the Journey Begin...
