Today was a tough day at the vineyard as we embarked on day two of topping off the Syrah at the water line. This winter brought severe damage to our plants, as it did to almost all vineyards in the Okanagan. With no fruit expected this season, my good friend and fellow vineyard owner, Matt, joined Sebastien, my winemaker and vineyard manager, and me for a vineyard walk on Friday, June 14th. We determined that to revive our Syrah, we needed to cut the tops and let new suckers push out from the bottom, retraining them as new trunks using the existing trunks as stakes.
Armed with a chainsaw, I spent two days working on this task. Initially, it was a depressing endeavor, but I soon noticed numerous suckers on many of the plants. Remarkably, it appears that over 60% of the trunks are healthy. This means that as the suckers emerge, we can use them to retrain the vines, allowing us to return to production hopefully within two years, as opposed to the four or more years it would take if we had to replant entirely.
We may still have gaps in the rows that need replanting, but we could employ a technique known as layering. This method involves bending a cane from a nearby vine into the soil to establish a new root system before severing it from the parent vine. Layering allows us to fill in the gaps without waiting for new vines to mature from scratch.
While this process is challenging and emotionally taxing, it represents a crucial step toward our vineyard’s renewal and resilience. We are committed to preserving the quality and heritage of our Syrah, and this approach gives us the best chance to achieve that goal.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we navigate these difficult times. We remain optimistic about the future and look forward to sharing our progress with you.
Ron Kubek
Owner & CEO
Lightning Rock Winery