Linden’s Climate Change Variety Trial Vineyard: Part I: Whites
After almost two years in the planning stage, we will plant the beginnings of Linden’s Variety Trial Vineyard.
Read MoreCabernet Franc
As is often our habit, yesterday’s lunch was accompanied with a wine from our “mystery wine” cellar.
Read MorePotential
Tenacity is an important attribute of any winegrower, but this is especially true when climate change challenges normal expectations.
Read MoreBittersweet
This could be the last week of pruning therapy. There is no better satisfaction than this slow, methodical vineyard work on a warm early spring day.
Read MoreMistakes
The most valuable lessons come from mistakes. In the cellar the learning curve is quick, consequentially the next vintage’s wines improve. Unfortunately, …
Read MoreSoil Matters
Pruning affords the opportunity to take stock of each vineyard block. Each vine is addressed, assessed, and shaped according to its vigor and form. Yesterday we pruned the “Five Rows” block of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Read MoreInspiration
Yesterday was a dismally grey, rainy day. No pruning, no energy, no enthusiasm. We decided that Riesling would brighten our spirits.
Read MoreLong Term
Yesterday we completed pruning the 2003 block of Cabernet Sauvignon here at Hardscrabble. Our vine blocks are designated after the year they were planted. I was in an experimental mode in 2003.
Read MoreLunch
Tasting wines objectively is impossible. Tasting wines blind closes the subjectivity gap.
Read MorePilgrimage
Yesterday I took advantage of the quiet to make my sometimes-annual trek to the slave cemetery. I discovered it decades ago by chance.
Read MoreVirgin Harvest for Cabernet Franc
Linden’s new planting of Cabernet Franc is now pruned and ready for its first year of production. Winegrowers call this the virgin harvest.
Read MoreEarly Magnolia Bloom
There is a small Magnolia tree on the south side of Linden’s old barn. It began blooming yesterday. This Magnolia is one of many indicator plants on the farm. Every year I dutifully record the first bloom of crocus, daffodil, forsythia, henbit, and peach.
Read MoreCrying Vines
Warm weather instills a greater sense of immediacy in our pruning. When a pruning cut is made, the sap flows prolifically. While this is normal, it seems more pronounced than usual. American winegrowers refer to this as vine bleeding. The French call it crying. I won’t comment on perceived cultural biases.
Read MoreCorona Closing
Linden will be closed the weekends of March 21 & 22 and March 28 & 29.
We will post updates on Linden’s web site. I will also send updates via email as circumstances evolve. We will refund all prepaid reservations.
Read MoreHistorical Pruning
Pruning season is in full swing. It is the perfect time to evaluate and scrutinize vine performance. It takes about 50 hours to prune one acre of grapevines. We become intimate with the vines. We make plans for vintage 2020.
Read MoreWabi Sabi
Linden’s Wabi Sabi is an impulsive, generous, fruit driven wine with richness, loads of texture, and a creamy finish. It is so outside Linden’s stylistic and philosophical wheelhouse that it makes absolutely no sense.
Linden Evolution Seminars
Hardscrabble and Avenius Vineyards: Long Learning Curves Finally Crest
After decades of trial and error with our red wine vineyard blocks, we are finding our groove.
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