April 2
In March Spring sprang, and thus it continues in April, but with an increased sense of urgency. We are now in the midst of the spring vineyard activities such as cultivation and frost protection. At this writing most Pinot Noir vineyards have reached budbreak and our Merlot at Soda Canyon Ranch is showing a couple of leaves. It is at this stage that the crop of 2009 is in danger of being decimated by frost. Spring frosts occur in the middle of clear, still nights when a temperature inversion forms and the surface of the earth rapidly gives up its heat. This is why the use of large fans that break up the inversion is our primary method of fighting frost. Of the options available they have the advantage of being easiest on the environment.
~Daniel Baron