Natalie MacLean’s Post

Would you like to win a beautiful hardcover edition of "A Year in the Life of a Vineyard"❓ https://lnkd.in/giDeEijD 🏆 Three of you are going to win a copy of Sophie Menin’s gorgeous full-colour coffee table book called A Year in the Life of a Vineyard. From the book description: 🍷 A Year in the Vineyard is a full color coffee table book for consumers that provides an experiential understanding of the axiom - wine is made in the vineyard. 🌱 It is a poem in images and words, the collaboration between a well-known environmental artist and an award-winning wine writer, that uses the vineyard as a lens for observing efforts to find balance with nature in a changing world. 🍂 A Year in the Vineyard is a tribute to the cycle of the vine. From winter pruning to vine leaves capturing the energy of the late autumn sun, the narrative is spun through vignettes about activities in vineyards around the globe, accompanied by photographs and background paintings. 🌨️ The book honors seasonal rhythms and rituals without glossing over potential risks, such as hail piercing acres of nascent chardonnay in Champagne or wildfires in the Napa Valley. 💃 The hope is that each spread captures a gesture, a step in a dance with the natural world, thus providing an experiential understanding of the axiom ‘wine is made in the vineyard' and of the notion that fine wines are achieved in tandem with nature, not through triumph over the elements. 🌍 It also shows wine growers as operating on the front line of the climate crisis, posing questions and offering potential remedies in response to the earth's changing ecology. 👇 All you have to do is: 1️⃣ Like this post 2️⃣ Tag someone in the comments below who might also be interested in winning the book 3️⃣ Follow me on Instagram or Facebook Cheers! And good luck🥂 Natalie This contest is in no way affiliated with Facebook or Instagram. #natdecants #sophiemenin #WineBookGiveaway #CoffeeTableBooks #VineyardLife #WineLovers #NatureAndWine #ClimateResilience #EnvironmentalArt #WinABook

https://lnkd.in/eDZG2kks Have you heard of the Glass Flowers at Harvard? Read about where to see these fragile beauties in my latest story for Food, Wine and Travel magazine.

I believe like anything else understanding any subjects complexities creates the opportunity for one to entirely immerse themselves and enjoy its offerings. For that reason I’ve decided to start a series of short posts on various wine terms and concepts. The term terroir is one of the most elusive and debated buzzwords in the wine world. “Terroir” is a French term which refers to the essence of place. The common environmental elements that constitute terroir include climate, topography and soil composition. 🏞️ In simple terms, the concept of terroir constitutes to all of the natural attributes of a particular site. In essence, terroir is the fingerprint of a wine, shaping its unique character and making each bottle a reflection of land, climate and the individuals behind it. 🔗 FREE ebook: https://lnkd.in/dS6n7REY #wine #winelands #winelandscape #southafrica #stellenbosch #terror #vineyard #vines #soil #climate #climatechange #topography #green #sustainability #sustainable #winery

"'The VSP system is a dinosaur at this point,' Bryan Babcock, the winemaker at Babcock Winery & Vineyards, in the Sta. Rita Hills, said in an article for Wine-Searcher, 'because it exposes the fruit to too much sun and maximizes labor and fuel consumption.'” ☝ Primary reasons I've been advocating different trellis designs in Texas for years now! Why on earth are we using VSP in a HOT, HIGH altitude, HIGH UV, DRY growing region...??? It makes no sense! Our primary issue IN TX High Plains AVA has always been sun OVER exposure to fruit (sunburn, raisin) due to the extreme heat (110*F+) and extreme UV intensity (3,000'+ elevation). Dappled sunlight with single high wire or California sprawl canopies tend to do MUCH better for us and produce more balanced fruit (especially red grapes). "Adam Casto, the head winemaker at Ehlers Estate, in St. Helena, is moving to high-wire trellises as he replants part of the property’s 42-acre vineyard, planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. 'There’s been a pretty decisive move away from VSP over the last 10 years or so, but especially over the last five,' he says. 'The vast majority [of growers] are either bringing up the fruiting wire or converting to cane pruning altogether. Climate change is increasingly the reason.'” While 98%+ of our acreage is in single high wire trellising, we do have ~15 acres still set up in VSP. We actually use our existing VSP trellising to make a modified California sprawl system as we have moveable catch wires. Only one pair is lifted to tuck cane growth at a much shallower angle, producing something similar to a Cali sprawl. Works MUCH better and can still be adjusted as needed for each variety's growth habit. Quotes from Virginie Boone's article "California’s Trellising Systems Adapt with the Times" published July 3, 2024. Link below, please go read it! https://lnkd.in/gdXziCEV Texas Vine Country FermForge 🍇 TEXAS LEGACY VINES #TexasVineyards #TexasWine #GrapeReturns

"Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are." — Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin The vineyards of Côte-Rôtie are a testament to the intricate relationship between nature and craft. Nestled on the steep, sun-drenched slopes of the Northern Rhône, the vines grow on terraces carved into the mountainside, where the soil is as challenging as it is unique. The micaschiste soil, rich in minerals, forces the vines to dig deep for sustenance, resulting in wines of remarkable concentration and complexity. The climate here adds another layer of complexity: the region’s northern exposure, combined with the Mistral wind, ensures perfect ripening conditions. The combination of warmth during the day and cooler nights allows the grapes to develop their rich, layered flavors, while the steep inclines of the slopes provide the ideal drainage for the vines, making every drop of Côte-Rôtie a reflection of its environment. Every sip of this wine is a journey through the land—dark fruits, smoky richness, and subtle spices unfold with each taste, revealing a complexity that is shaped by both the soil and the climate. Côte-Rôtie is a rare example of how terroir—where geology, climate, and craftsmanship converge—can create something truly extraordinary.

Spring Symphony in Our Vineyards: A Season of Renewal 🌼🍷 As the vibrant hues of spring paint the canvas of our vineyards, it's a poetic dance between nature and nurture at Azienda Agricola Casere. Let's delve into what spring signifies for our cherished vineyards. 🌿 1. Bud Break and New Beginnings: Spring marks the awakening of our dormant vines as they eagerly sprout tiny buds. It's a delicate ballet of nature, a promise of new clusters that will eventually transform into luscious grapes. 🌞 2. Sun-Kissed Canopies: With longer days and the gentle warmth of the sun, our vine canopies flourish. Each leaf becomes a solar panel, soaking in the sunlight and infusing the grapes with the energy they need for ripening. 💧 3. Vigilant Vineyard Care: Spring calls for meticulous vineyard management. Our team works tirelessly, ensuring each vine receives the attention it deserves. From pruning to canopy management, every step is guided by a commitment to excellence. 🌸 4. Blossoming Aromas: The air is filled with the sweet scent of blossoms as flowers adorn the vineyards. This aromatic symphony is a prelude to the rich flavors that will develop in the upcoming grapes. 🌱 5. Excitement in Every Cluster: As the vines mature, anticipation builds. The promise of an exceptional harvest is woven into each cluster, and we eagerly await the moment when the fruits of our labor reach their peak. 🚀 Next Steps: Craftsmanship in Motion: With spring as our guide, the journey unfolds. From nurturing the vines to tending to every detail in the cellar, our commitment to crafting exceptional wines remains unwavering. As we embrace the transformations in our vineyards, we invite you to stay tuned for the unveiling of the next chapter in our winemaking story. 🍇 Here's to the enchanting season of spring and the artistry it inspires in every bottle! #SpringInTheVineyards #CasereWines #WineCraftsmanship #SeasonalFlourish

The Chardonnay’s awake from its winter slumber and the Chardy engines are humming! Most other varieties are in neutral with their engines idling. The pinot, pinot gris and Albariño are stretching – their buds are firmer with green leaf tips visible. The Sauvignon is snoozing – their buds are soft and downy with pink-tinged edges. Budburst is a magical time of year. With engines humming, the Chardy vines are producing new leaves every 3 or 4 days. These leaves, the engine room of the plant, are pulling in oxygen to turn sunlight into wine. When you stand and close your eyes, you can hear the Chardy’s deep-trunk-breathing: in, in ….[pause]…. out, out, out.  In, in….[pause]…. out, out, out.  You can feel the vibrant lifeforce in the vineyard. LEGO™ Grower’s thrilled with the Chardy budburst this year.  Rather than patches of green, he sees an even sea of crisp vibrant green. An even budburst confirms that he’s found the sweet spot; the balance between quantity and quality. Each vine is well-balanced between the number of buds left at pruning (quantity of shoots) and the vine’s resources to grow quality wine without compromising vine and soil health. But – LEGO™ Grower’s also worried. These delicate buds and young leaves are highly vulnerable, and current frost maps indicate a moderate frost risk. A polar blast + low spring snow + low temperatures + wide isobars (light or no wind) + clear night sky + full moon = -1 (minus 1) degree frost predicted for Marlborough tomorrow morning. There will be little sleep in LEGO™ Grower’s house tonight; he will be out frost fighting.   #winegrowing

Eat like a Neanderthal: Unpacking ancient cooking methods: Have you ever wondered about the cooking methods of Neanderthals, our sturdy, ancient relatives? Scientists now have a better idea. #EarthDotCom #EarthSnap #Earth

In my classroom I have a box of dirt. I collect it Each time I visit a wine region's vineyards, I pick up a bit of dirt and take it home with me. Why?!? You may well ask. I do get some strange looks from my fellow wine tasters, and even sometimes other Educators on the same trips. But this seemingly random box of soil samples is important. The earth vines grow in, shape the regions' wines in a big way. Stony soils are warmer and better drained, clay and limestone soils are cooler and retain water better. These soils are a vital part of the concept of 'terroir' - How wines are unique from region to region, country to country, along with the grape varieties used, history and winemaking practices. Soil type is frequently mentioned. Whether it's the famous 'Galets' of Chateauneuf du Pape, the slate soils of the Mosel in Germany or the chalks of Champagne. My students and tasting event guests always appreciate being shown these rock samples. They bring the regions alive and help them remember them all. They can touch and experience them, almost as if they were there themselves. It helps cement learning and enhances enjoyment. Wine is a fantastic mix of science, history and stories- and why I love it so much!

Here's how one vineyard uses memoryKPR to connect with customers and increase sales👇 Sunscraper Vineyard, a locally owned business, uses memoryKPR to showcase their brand story to customers, encourage clients to share media of their own, and runs contests to further engage customers. The vineyard has uploaded photos, videos, and voice recordings to share the history of their business with customers. Customers also upload their own media, including content taken at the vineyard, wine tasting notes, and more! Watch this video to learn how memoryKPR can has increased customer conversions, provided a way for a brand to tell it's story, and how to provided a superior, unforgettable experience for customers. https://lnkd.in/gkXKxxv9