Wine, a work in progress

"Much like home gardeners across the country, we look forward to watching tiny flower buds form - but the buds we are watching are located on thousands of vines across our vineyards.

The blooms that we get excited about are neither large, showy, nor even brightly colored. Instead, the bunches of tiny flower buds, the size of tiny pinheads, are the foundation of our future harvest.

The buds closely match the color of the young leaves, so they are almost hidden. Within each cluster, the self-pollinating flowers open over several days. High temperatures, rain, or high winds interfere with pollination, so keep your fingers crossed for the sunny, 80-degree calm days!"

- The Family Team, Alexander Valley Vineyards, 5/1/26

"April could be considered the heart of Spring, with warmer weather, longer days, and bright blooming flowers.

That is especially true at the Wetzel Family Estate. The vineyards are waking up, with new leaves and tendrils unfurling each day. Like farmers across the country, we see this as a season of hope and promise.

Even after all these years, it is still exciting when the quiet stillness of winter gives way to renewal, growth, and possibility. After months of cold, bare landscapes, the first buds on trees and the return of vibrant colors remind us that our work is just beginning."

- The Family Team, Alexander Valley Vineyards, 4/1/26

"Our 41,000 individual grapevines are waking up from winter hibernation right now. After big rains and some unexpected warm stretches, the last couple weeks were a sprint to finish pruning before budbreak. New green growth on these vines means we’re officially in the 2026 growing season."

- Maggie Tillman & the Alta Colina team, Alta Colina Winery, 3/18/26