Amalie Robert Estate Vintage Update: 2011 July Hedging Update

Hello and Welcome,

The 2010 vintage continues to buck us around like a prize rodeo bull. In response, Ernie has put a serious hedge on the vineyard. This is not our first rodeo.

Ernie completed the first vineyard hedge on Saturday, July 16, at bout 10 am. This is just moments before we recorded about 0.75 inches of rain for the following 24 hour period. The rain event coincides with the tail end of bloom.

Hedging is most effective if it is done like voting - early and often. Ernie will make a second pass in about 10 days and most likely a third pass to catch any late shoot tips that will divert energy from ripening fruit.

Hold on, it's just starting to get fun!

Ernie