Was a characteristically foggy morning on 8/20, the sun just starting to make advances.
Here’s a shot of the charming, unassuming Devoto sign.
Looking north over Sebastopol from the 828 block on Gold Ridge. Weather’s been steady, grapes look great; since last week the median brix has risen 1 degree to 18.1. Am anticipating harvesting around 24 brix; flavors, weather, and pH will be other big considerations. (I don’t have a great way to measure TA in the field, but may also be taking samples in to the lab in SF).
Next week Stan will be going through the block and dropping green clusters like those pictured here. He will likely be cutting the water to these guys in the next week or so. (This “deficit irrigation” approach is pretty standard for premium fruit).
I’m not the only one enthused by this fruit; note the damage done by uninvited beaks on this cluster (which measured 20 brix — can the birds sense which clusters are sweeter?).
Consequently, Stan’s begun putting reflective tape up to discourage birds, and is considering an investment in netting for next year.
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