This summer has been one for the records, with minimal rain to quench our thirsty land. The dry spell turned parts of our property into a scene straight out of an old Western movie. Tumbleweeds rolling by would not have been a surprise! We stayed dry in Lovettsville, while many storms split and passed us by. We went 8 weeks without cutting grass. Despite the dry conditions, our grapevines soldiered on.
Benefits:
1. Concentrated Flavors: The lack of water has led to smaller, more concentrated grapes. While the quantity may be down, the quality is looking up. Expect intensely flavorful wines this year that will make your taste buds sing!
2. Less Disease: The dry weather has also reduced the risk of certain fungal diseases that thrive in wetter conditions. Fewer diseases mean healthier vines and cleaner fruit.
Drawbacks:
1. Stressed Vines: Our grapevines felt some stress from limited water, but their deep roots from 16-23 years of growth, were able to still find water and therefore survived. Think of it as grapevine boot camp: tough, but worth it in the end.
2. Yield Reduction: As mentioned, the yield is expected to be lower this year. Fewer grapes mean fewer bottles of wine, but we promise the ones we do produce will be exceptional!
The drought ended on August 6. Between August 6 and August 10, at least 6" inches of rain fell in Lovettsville. Several of our neighbors, who have their own rain gauges, reported about 10" of rainfall.
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