Die back on a baby vine: how the vinetender protects the new growth with a grow tube. The vinetender must remove rootstock growth in order to focus the Vines energy in the development of the grafted vine on top.
The Vineyard teaches us many things. For instance, there are bullies in the vines as well as in life. “Bull Canes” not only sap unproductive energy from the vine and the neighboring branches, but they aggressively overwhelm nearby vines shading their branches making them less productive. See how the vinetender manages the bull canes in […]
In October the vineyard gets a well-deserved rest. The leaves turn a brilliant red and yellow. As they fall we give thanks to the Lord for the crop of 2017. Soon it will be time to prune. Pruning is the way we ready the vineyard for the 2018 crop. It’s amazing that our vineyard is […]
2017 Messina Hof Estates vineyard produced its first crop. After the heavy rains from Hurricane Harvey, we are experiencing lush growth in preparation for a winter’s sleep and dormancy. All of the Vineyard District grapes were harvested prior to the start of the big rains. They were at peak perfection and are happily fermenting as […]
First ever harvest at Messina Hof Estates in the Vineyard District! It is so exciting to harvest and see how well the plants at Messina Hof Estates have done. Harvest from around the state is rolling in. The sugars are going up. The color in the Lenoir Papa Paulo Port skins is getting darker. As […]
July Vineyard Notes The Messina Hof Estates Vineyards have just begun veraison. Veraison is the time that the Lenoir grape turns from a green to a pink and later to a dark deep purple. It also signifies that the sugar content in the grape is about 10% and will eventually become 24-30%. This process usually […]
First ever harvest at Messina Hof Estates in the Vineyard District! It is so exciting to harvest and see how well the plants at Messina Hof Estates have done. Harvest from around the state is rolling in. The sugars are going up. The color in the Lenoir Papa Paulo Port skins is getting darker. As […]
Spring has blessed the Vineyard. The vines are reaching to the heavens as we refer to this time as the hallelujah phase. The fruit is setting & we are now 60 days away from harvest. Messina Hof estates will have its 1st harvest this year producing revenue for the HOA. The wildflowers were more beautiful […]