There has been a west coast heat wave this past week, with much of northern California around the wine country experiencing temperatures in the low eighties. There has also been an insufficient amount of rainfall recently, causing the vintners at the local wineries in Sonoma County and Napa County to fear of a possible drought. But while the lack of rain is of concern for the vineyards, those running the fields are taking advantage of the unusual weather to address some issues and get ahead of their schedules as much as possible.
The wine country grape growers and management companies are taking advantage of the dry weather to make repairs on irrigation equipment, do pest and weed control work, and get ahead on the pruning in advance of spring. Another benefit of the weather has been the reduction in the vines’ susceptibility to disease which is more prevalent and difficult to address during wet weather. The dry conditions have allowed vineyard workers to accomplish much more during the month of January than is possible during the usually rainy month as vineyard workers don’t tend to the vines in rainy conditions.
The possible downside of the unseasonably warm and dry weather is that if it stays too long the wine country vines will respond as if spring has come and sprout buds; this is not an issue per se, unless the weather then turns cold again, as the frost could ruin a crop. And while the wine country workers are taking full advantage of the current weather, the common sentiment around the local wineries inSonoma County and Napa County is a wish for rain to rebuild the stores in reservoirs and aquifers.
