Barreca Vineyards

Barreca Vineyards

From Vine to Wine since 1986

Posts filed under Grape Growing

Turning Point

Sometimes big changes sneak up on you and have happened before you know it. September was one of those times. Actually on August 30th when I picked and bought my first load of grapes from a vineyard other than my own, a change had begun. Those grapes mark a turning point from just being backyard… (read more)

Nets Up!

This is the time of year when I am typically at war with the birds, mostly warblers. Once they get a taste of the grapes, it is very difficult to keep them away from them. I have tried flashy objects and a plastic owl with little effect. Other vineyard owners have used scary noises like… (read more)

2016 Grape Plants

The 2016 Grape plants are ready to plant.  You can download the new catalog and see what we have.  It is designed to print on both sides of three pieces of paper but will print on one side if that is easier for you. You can pick up plants here at the vineyard or this… (read more)

Wine 2015

So much has happened and is happening with the winery that it is hard to know where to start. I’m scheduled to give a talk on growing grapes organically at the Tilth Conference in Spokane this November.  So I think about that while I am out picking grapes or some other task in the vineyard… (read more)

Leaf Pruning

Pruning last year’s canes in the Spring is just the beginning of keeping up with the vineyard.  I have almost finished the first round of leaf pruning which is actually more about cutting out unwanted canes from the bottom of the vine and small ones from the center than it is about picking off the… (read more)

Grape Plants 2015

Here is the grape plant inventory for 2015 Big pots typically sell for $10 each and small for $5 each. 2015 Grape Inventory         2 year 1 year Variety Big Pots Small Pots Big Pots Small Pots Canadice 2 4 15 Himrod 4 12 Catawba 2 Concord 18 4 Baco Noir 22… (read more)

Pruning

You can see why I traced the branches in these pictures. They are hard to visualize as full images. There are several things to notice. The pole is not straight and is made of bamboo.  I have gone to using rebar lately because it does not rot off like this.  It is important to keep… (read more)