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HIDDENCROFT VINEYARDS

HARVEST SEASON 2024

NEWSLETTER

we're celebrating our 18th growing season:


CHAMBOURCIN VERTICAL BARREL TASTING AND BBQ DINNER

21 SEP 2024 (SAT), 4PM-8PM

IN OUR BARN


DETAILS & TICKETS HERE...

DROUGHT & DRENCH DIARY

As we bask in the warmth of another summer, it's difficult to ignore the challenging conditions we faced here in Northern Virginia this Summer. The relentless drought from June through early August tested us, turning our land dry and barren. Just when it seemed endless, a drenching rain arrived at the end of the first week in August, turning everything green again. We're now entering the tropical storm season, and while we're grateful for the rain, we certainly don't want too much at this critical point. We begin harvest by picking Traminette a little early this year during the first couple of days in September.


We’re using this opportunity to share our harvest thoughts and a few laughs with you. This newsletter is meant to be informative and entertaining. We hope you take the time to read it!

THE GRAPE CHRONICLES: PROS AND CONS

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.

WILDLIFE WOES: THE BATTLE IN OUR VEGETABLE GARDENS AND ORCHARD

While we wrestled with the drought, we also worked to fend off some four-legged and flying invaders. We are no strangers to being robbed by wildlife. However, drought is tough on animals as well and we definitely sensed their increased desperation. Groundhogs, deer, raccoons and crows took an extremely aggressive interest in our vegetable gardens and orchard. It became their 24/7 all-you-can-eat buffet!


Groundhogs: They treated themselves to a smorgasbord of tender shoots and roots. They managed to do this by going under an 8-foot tall, metal mesh fence to get into our raised garden beds area. They then proceeded to dig under a tightly stretched snow fence and up onto a row of straw bales planted full of sweet potatoes. They ate sweet potato leaves until the row looked like a soldier's head shaved for boot camp. They did this while standing next to an ultrasonic animal repellant device. We could hear the device clearly in our house. They remained unphased by the noise.


Deer: Majestic but mischievous, the deer have always had a taste for our orchard's finest. Their elegant prancing belies a ravenous appetite for ground fall and hanging apples, and the leaves and tender shoots of newly planted raspberry canes. They keep the orchard floor free of fallen fruit and then stand on their hind legs to eat the low hanging fruit from the trees. When we come outside, they halfheartedly trot away.


Crows: A couple of weeks ago, our vineyard team raised the netting on each row to keep the grapes safe from all types of birds. Crows are especially raucous and covering the grapes only sent them to our fruit trees. "Murders" of crows fly into our orchards and peck the apples ripening on the trees. Crows attack the fruit on the tops of the trees. The deer eat the low-hanging fruit. We pray something is left in between.


Raccoons: These masked bandits have been raiding our large vegetable garden at night for years, which is inside of the vineyard. They climb over, and in some places through, the 8-foot fence. We actually stopped growing corn this year because of them. You may see us sometime at Farmer John's Market buying it.

A HOPEFUL HARVEST

Despite the drought, the drench and 24-hour wildlife shenanigans, we're staying hopeful. Every challenge is an opportunity to look for silver linings, learn and adapt. We are more determined than ever to bring you the best wines Northern Virginia has to offer. We're embracing the quirks of this growing season and putting our heart and soul into every bottle.


As always, we couldn't do this without your support and enthusiasm. Your love for our wines keeps us going, even when the going gets tough. Here's to a unique and unforgettable vintage in 2024...one that's sure to be as memorable as the journey it took to create it.


Thank you for being part of our vineyard family. We can't wait to drink this year's harvest with you.


Cheers to resilience and great wine,


Clyde & Terry Housel

Hiddencroft Vineyards

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