Amalie Robert Estate Climate Update: 2008 April

Hello,

This is the climate update for the month of April, 2008. The Spring of 2008 has been cold, or maybe I just need a better hat.
We have accumulated 1.83 inches of rain since the 1st of April and that is 1.08 inches less than the same period in 2007. Q1 2008 rainfall was 15.24 inches and was 2.93 inches more than the 12.31 inches of rain for Q1 2007. The historical 30 year average for Q1 is 19.72 inches of rain, or 536,384 gallons per acre. Also, based on this historical average, we can expect Q2 to provide about 5.91 inches of rain, +/- 5.91 inches of rain.
We have not recorded any degree days this month. Our highest high was 80.90 and our lowest high was 76.70. Our lowest low was 27.60 and our highest low was 29.30 degrees Fahrenheit. For comparison, we did not record any degree days for April 2007; about 25 degree days for April 2006 and 49 degree days for April 2005.
The vineyard floor has been chisel plowed and rotovated in alternate rows and an early Round-up spray was applied in alternate rows. Note to self - replacement chisel plow springs are about $32.80, each plus s/h.
We experienced bud break in the Chardonnay on April 28, and it was the only variety brazen enough to do so. As they say, "he, who travels fastest, travels alone."
Once again, we appear "on-track" for the vintage of the century
Ernie