There are many aspects of farming that can bring great joy. The smell of freshly
cut hay, watching the sun set over your field, and the sense of independence. It
can also be the root of personal stress -- unpredictable weather, market
fluctuations, or unanticipated equipment costs.
I witnessed this growing up on our family farm and seeing the pride in my Dad’s
face when looking out onto a beautiful field of corn, or the furrowed brows of my
parents when there was no rainfall for weeks on end during peak growing season.
More recently, when I decided to plant a vineyard, there were many decisions to
make that could determine its fate between mediocre or world class. All in all, it
has been a successful venture and fills me with pride as I look out onto the hills of
vines. But then there are moments when you ask yourself “why am I doing this”?
Take last Spring. On April 22nd , 2022, I receive an email from Patrick, my trusted
vineyard manager, informing me that temperatures hit a low of
26 degrees just at bud break and that my vineyard was hit hard, potentially losing 85% of my
Cabernet Franc and Merlot crop. I immediately informed my grape customers who were very empathetic and supportive. It was an anxious growing season waiting to see how the vines responded to our canopy management plan and or was Mother Nature going to be kinder come summer and fall.
Thankfully, between the combination of Patrick and his team’s skills and
expertise, moderate summer temperatures, and an extended time for fruit to
ripen, we ended up with both the tonnage and quality that we had come to
expect from this vineyard.
So, as I often mutter to myself that “farming is not for the faint of heart” it does
makes you appreciate all the factors that go into it (within and outside your
control). So, when you sit down with that glass of wine, pay a tribute to farmers
around the world.
Pollard Wine for the Holidays – 20% discount on 6 bottles or more, 30% off on 12 or more- automatically applied at checkout
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