Finally, grape flowers in the Pinot gris - all two of them! I have been checking on a daily basis to see if bloom was ever going to get started this year, only to come away each time disappointed. The weather has been unseasonably cool this spring and sunny days have been in short supply. I have heard reports that in the Carneros AVA Chardonnay vines planted there are only about 10-15% through bloom.
What is surprising to me is that bloom didn't begin in the Orange muscat block first, it usually does, but then it seems that 2011, like 2010, is going to be an unusual growing season. I estimate that bloom in Vinoland is about 2 weeks later than last year.
Great, another shortened growing season in the Tundra!
