Well, those vines are back at it. A typical cold, dark, wet winter here in the Willamette Valley ended on time this year, right around Memorial Day. We decided this was the year to take advantage of the minimal things to do around the farm in spring, so we headed east. We took a pilgrimage to the Iberian Peninsula and hiked the Coastal Camino from Portugal to Spain. Prior to our departure, the vines had been fertilized and pruned with minimal bud break thru out the vineyard, so we thought we had time to spare. And yet one more winter with some reasonable snow days out here in the foothills of the Eola-Amity Hills.
The trip was an amazing time of reflection and recognition. Acknowledging what we truly are capable of physically while walking 5-7 hours a day, while simultaneously reflecting on your achievements and failures over the past decades. These past 4 years have been tough. There have been personal highs and lows for both of us. While the farm has been an opportunity for growth and learning, it has been a source of frustration and disappointment. Certainly, our careers over the course of the pandemic had several unfortunate disappointments, but there were moments of reprieve which were viewed as small victories. I would like to think we came back stronger and more optimistic for the future. We both recognize that we deserve to be in places where we can be our best selves, both personally and professionally.
Soon after our return, bloom started happening across the vines. What also was apparent was the change in migration of the deer families. We have always had some interruption of the vine growth due to deer and they’re young. We thought, however, that we had started seeing less damage from them over the past years, so at the end of season last year we elected to completely remove the final pieces of some fencing. Upon our return home, I recognized that the deer had decided to return. I had tried in vain already with Irish Spring Blocks tied to posts in the past with minimal success. I had read about a smelly concoction which they would find offensive, hopefully more so than the soap which was not altering the travel patterns. I made brew of cinnamon, garlic and chili powder and soaked rags in it. There are multiple old wives tales about different smells which they find offending. I tied these clothes all around the East Block, the block that the barn office overlooks. Within days of our return, despite my efforts, the deer had completely devastated the East block of the vineyard. We made a tough decision immediately with our vineyard management team to continue minimal maintenance and expect no harvest from this part of the vineyard. We took the components of the former fence and created barriers over on the remaining Pinot Noir. This seems to be working thus far. Also, continued growth of these vines which were not initially damaged, allows for further protection of the fruit.
Our friends across the street informed us that another neighbor had noted that he had killed 30 coyote this season. I have a feeling this action has drastically altered the ecosystem. We used to hear the howls of the coyotes at night and we noticed, that has not happened yet this spring. I had built a deer fence around my garden of peppers and tomatoes, non deer options, but as you can see from the tops, that didnt keep them from trying. I have since continued to add to this fortress to remind them, not only that they are not welcome, but these are not even things they like to eat.
As we move into the dry hot season, potential for growth and change is all around us. What we learned from the Camino, is trust that you will be provided for. Just continue to get up each day, put one foot in front of the other and continue on the journey with your head up, smiling and singing. This is what allows you to find the joy in today. If you find joy, you can then pass it on to those you meet along the way. That is the purpose of the journey, sharing your joy, helping others to make the journey, appreciating that we don’t all get to the destination we expected. Like the vines, ever reaching and ever growing, knowing the long cold winters are what bring the best fruit.