Springtime,
Renewal and Bud Break
I have four grape vines in my backyard. When people come over, they always ask if I make wine from them. The vines are all different varietals, two of which are table grapes. So no, I don’t make wine from them. Four vines wouldn’t produce much wine anyway, even if they were all the same varietal and were suitable for winemaking.
I planted them about 20 years ago, before my wife and I joined the OCWS. I knew nothing about winemaking then. We just liked how grape vines looked and thought they would be cool in our back yard. Little did I know that in the years to come, those vines would teach me a lot.
For one thing, there’s more work involved in caring for grape vines than I ever imagined. First there was planting, setting up drip irrigation and training them. Then I learned about feeding, pruning and keeping them free of disease. And now that they are established, there’s the ongoing battle to keep pests, birds and other critters from eating the fruit. It’s taught me, on a microscopic scale, how much work it is to grow grapes. I never thought of my four vines as being a “vineyard.” But caring for those vines has made me appreciate the work that grape growers do in real vineyards, and how fortunate we winemakers are to have access to high quality fruit.
I’ve learned something else too. I’ve become more in touch with the rhythm of nature through taking care of those vines. I recently pruned them back in preparation for the growing season. Though bud break hasn’t started, I can already see the small bumps on the vines where the first shoots will appear later this month.
I always get a sense of renewal when the growing cycle starts each year. It’s like waking up after a long winter slumber. Springtime is coming. I feel re-energized to work on new projects like these upcoming events for Winemakers Group.
This spring, the Winemakers Group will offer a new opportunity to all OCWS members. One of our most experienced winemakers, Kevin Donnelly, will teach you how to make wine from fresh citrus juice. Yes, you can make excellent wine from fruit other than grapes. In this citrus winemaking class, you will pick your own citrus fruit, juice it, and take it home to make wine, all with the help of our OCWS winemakers. Making wine from fruit is similar to making wine from grapes. If you ever wanted to learn how to make wine, this is your opportunity. See the article in this month’s newsletter for class details.
Our next winemakers meeting and potluck is scheduled for Saturday, March 22. If you ever wanted to taste our wines or learn about winemaking, this is your opportunity. Signups are now open on the website. You don’t have to be a winemaker to attend. All OCWS members are welcome. See the article in this month’s newsletter for details.
Save the date for the 2025 OC Fair Home Wine Competition. This 49th annual competition will be held Saturday, June 7, at the OC Fair and Event Center. The OCWS Winemakers Group sponsors this event which is one of the largest amateur winemaking competitions in California. We need your help to make it successful. Look for event information and volunteer opportunities in upcoming newsletters.
Cheers!
—Ed Reyes, ed@ocws.org