June newsletter for Remembrance Vineyard

      2008 growing season is progressing slowly. During the last few weeks the days have been warm but the gusty winds have made the days feel cooler than they are.   After the sun goes down,  it cools dramatically.   The Syrah is, for the most part, in bloom. Since grapes are wind pollinated let's hope there will be a good set.  The crop is down when compared to last year but since I thin heavily, the total tonnage should be about the same, maybe a bit more.

        At the last wettable sulfur application, I added 1 quart/acre zinc to improve fruit set and 1 gal./acre potassium to partially balance off our excessive magnesium.   Costs of chemicals,and diesel is way up from last year.   I have mowed twice and will mow again when all the grasses are dry.  Sulfur will be applied every ten days and hope it does it's job.

         Vines look good.  They survived frost, cutworms and now wind damage.    My next job will be thinning after set occurs and "leaf" removal to expose the developing clusters to light and increase air circulation.   This is slow , but necessary ,work and will take several weeks and extra help

        The website,www.remembrancevineyard.com is being updated.   There are some new pictures on it now but the text is still a work in progress.   If any of you have labels you'd like to show off or awards you've won and would like them on the website, please send them to me either email or slow mail.

         Upcoming events are:

Kelseyville Homewine makers festival,June 28th 1-5pm.  $15 to taste.   Both home made and commercial wines will be offered for tasting.  The event benefits the Clearlake Performing Arts.   More details at www.clearlakeperforming arts.org.

Lake County  Wine weekend, July 26&27th and Remembrance Vineyard's open house, Sat.July 26th..3pm to 8pm. Bring a bottle of your wine and we supply food.  Last year we had cold marinated chicken breasts and cold barbequed tri tip with an assortment of cheeses, breads and drinks.   Please RSVP by  July 20th if you plan to come.

Although you will be paying more in fuel costs to pick up your grapes, the grape prices will remain about same as last year.

                         $900/ton....$0.45/lb over 2000 lbs

                         $500/1000 lbs...  $0.50/lb between 1000lbs and 1999lbs

                         $325/500 lbs.....$0.65/lb between 500lbs and 999lbs

                         $0.75/lb up to 500 lbs

20% deposit if you are a new customer.

Please reserve early....we'd like to plan on selling out.

If you made wine from here in past years, I'd like to know how it's progressing.

Cheers and may you only drink the finest!

Winona Toffoli

Remembrance Vineyard

bogusmg@mchsi.com

P.O.Box 172inley, Ca.95435