Update on Lenne Estate Vineyard

May 2006 Update

Late July 2006 Update

The bud set is done, we will now have to see how much fruit develops as the leaves are trimmed for giving maximum sun and shade to the grapes as they mature.  Steve was pretty happy with the set, so it sounds like a good year for grapes, which means lots of juice and in turn, means bottles of wine later!  YUM!

Here are a few pictures (probably from the end of May) that Steve forwarded to the partners to keep us in the loop...

This picture gives you an idea of how the vineyard is laid out, each color is a different clone of Pinot Noir.

Here is another perspective of the tasting room and more of the vineyard...

Bud set, this is the all important time, no bud set, no grapes... no grapes, no wine!

Jim and I got the opportunity to check out the vineyard personally (my 2nd time, Jim's first) on July 16th.  I took advantage by taking some more pictures to share.  It is amazing how much can change in a months time.  Instead of small, little, tiny buds (as seen above), the grapes have really started to develop and look like real grape clusters.

While in Portland, I picked up the summer 2006 issue of the Wine Press NW magazine.  It has a great article about the new AVA's (American Viticultural Area) in the North Willamette Valley.  Lenne Estate is in the Yamhill-Carlton District if you want to check it out.

Here is another shot of the vineyard, but at a little different angle, it gives you an idea of how steep the land is.  The green that is more on the top left is the vineyard (next to the big group of trees on the left).  You can not see the tasting room from this angle.

This pictures shows you how well the bud set and fruit development was!  Lots of grapes, hard to fathom, now they will actually cut (drop) some of the fruit away to bring the fruit to plant ratio to the proper amount for the growing season.  That makes all the difference in the end product!

As you look further down the room, there is a rest room for the tasting room, another restroom in the far back left corner for the workers outside, a kitchen for small events, and a circular staircase to go up to the 2nd floor.

This is a look at the vineyard from the 2nd floor, you can just see the last boards of what will become the deck.

The back of the tasting room, now you can see the deck much better.  One of these days I will be sitting on that deck, enjoying a glass of Lenne Estate wine and the view!

The deck that you will be able to enjoy that view from, after getting a taste of Lenne Estate Pinot Noir from the tasting room.

A view from the front deck, you can see the vineyard has been cleaned up, it all looks all one height as it should once the leaves are cleaned up, the extra fruit is dropped and given it's "flat top" to allow the growth to go to the grapes and not the vines.