Budburst, 5mm of Rain & One Very Scary Monday
Spring has well and truly arrived at Jester Hill, and another Granite Belt vintage has begun. But this growing season has already reminded us that life in a vineyard rarely follows the script.
There’s something pretty special about budburst.
After months of bare vines through winter, those first tiny green shoots appear and suddenly the vineyard seems to wake up almost overnight.
We’re now about a month on from budburst here at Jester Hill, and the change is wonderful to watch. Fresh green growth is pushing out across the vineyard and the vines are beginning another journey towards vintage.
Those tiny shoots might not look like much just yet, but they represent the beginning of everything that will follow.
And that makes this one of our favourite times of year.
Now, if only it would rain…
There is one thing we would very happily add to the picture.
A lot more rain.
Conditions are extremely dry, and the vineyard (along with just about everything else around here) is ready for a good soaking.
Last Monday brought that reality home rather dramatically when we had a pretty scary fire adventure at Jester Hill.
Thankfully, everything turned out okay, but when the countryside is this dry, it doesn’t take much to remind you just how quickly conditions can change.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped and to our local fire crews who were there when they were needed.
It was one of those days we’re quite happy not to repeat.
And then… 5mm!
Not long afterwards, something wonderful appeared in the rain gauge.
Five millimetres of rain.
Normally, 5mm isn’t exactly cause to break out the sparkling.
Right now?
It felt a little like winning the lottery.
Every drop is precious when conditions are this dry, and while 5mm certainly isn’t enough to change things significantly, it gave the vineyard a very welcome drink.
You could almost imagine the vines breathing a little sigh of relief.
Unfortunately, we suspect their next question was:
“Is there any more?”
We’d like to know the answer to that one too.
The beginning of another vintage
That’s farming.
One minute you’re admiring beautiful new growth and thinking about the vintage ahead. The next you’re watching the weather, worrying about fire and checking a rain gauge to see whether Mother Nature has decided to send a little help your way.
It’s part of what makes every vintage different.
The wine eventually poured into your glass is the end of a much longer story … and right now, the next chapter is being written out amongst these tiny green shoots.
We’ll keep sharing it with you as the season progresses.
For now, we’ve got:
Budburst ✔️
Fresh green growth ✔️
One scary fire ✔️
5mm of precious rain ✔️
More rain desperately requested 🌧️
Here’s hoping Mother Nature turns the tap on properly soon.
And yes…
Mick is still checking the rain gauge.
We’ll be sharing more from the vineyard as these little shoots grow, flower and eventually begin forming the fruit for another Jester Hill vintage.
So stay tuned to Around the Vines, there’s a long way to go from budburst to bottle. 🍇🍷