Optimistically, in the remote chance that September and October in Napa will be somewhat meteorologically normal, the folks at Opus One have treated the south-facing side of their vines, in one block of their vineyard, to guard against damage to the ripening grapes. It was 99 degrees F in my neck of the woods today, so maybe they know something I don't.Surround WP crop protectant forms a barrier film, which acts as a broad spectrum protectant that may decrease damage from insect pests, but more importantly as a protectant against sunburn and heat stress on grapes. Surround is made from kaolin clay, an edible mineral, used in toothpaste and also as an anti-caking agent in processed foods. This product is apparently acceptable for use in organically grown vineyards. Whoop-de-doo!
It may well work, it just looks weird.
4 comments:
what are your predictions for harvest in Napa at this point? obviously late... but how late?
Kaolin and Morphine....mmmm! Pity it's no longer available!
Funny, Affer. I had a similar thought.
The pic looks almost like powdery mildew, a particular joy in this part of viticulture...
PS: isn't kaolin the ingredient in Kaopectate?
2B: It's going to be fine, although it may spill over into November, especially if we don't get any early rains. The latest Cabs usually don't come in until a day or three before Halloween on any given year, so we still have plenty of time. Lower alcohols are being forecast though, which just means I can drink more good stuff :)
Affer: They don't? I used to love the smell of that stuff when I was little.
Thomas: I think Affer is more interested in the morphine ingredient!
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