April 8, 1999
Weather Makes the News!This La Nina weather stuff just isn't any fun! Here we are-early April-very cold, windy days, and overnight lows still lurking around freezing, and bud break is just starting to happen, finally.
A friend and vineyard owner, Joe Kalina of JK Vineyard in Santa Ynez, told me last week that bud break for chardonnay is just now happening, and it is five weeks late this year!
Bud break is that time in the life-cycle of the grape vine when the plant "awakens" after its winter dormancy, sprouts new leafy green growth. Bud break happens when the days get warmer. Some years when we have that unseasonably gorgeous hot weather in January the plant thinks "spring has sprung," and goes through bud break.
After bud break happens, though, the plant is extra vulnerable to frost, and many vineyards have overhead sprinklers which provide frost protection. When temperatures hit 33 degrees, the vines get watered. It's the water than freezes and not the plant; hence, the plant is spared.
VINTNERS' FESTIVAL TIME
The annual Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival is set for April 16 and 17, 1-4 p.m. at the Firestone Meadow. Tickets are $60 and there are no gate sales. Prepaid reservations are a must. Saturday is sold out, but there are still tickets available for Sunday. To get tickets, call the Vintners' Association at (805) 688-0881.
A number of special events and winemaker dinners are scheduled in conjunction with the festival. All phone numbers are in the 805 area code.
Wednesday, April 14, 1999
Thursday, April 15, 1999
- Babcock, Brander and Longoria are doing a winemaker dinner at the Stone House at the San Ysidro Ranch. $75. 969-4100.
- Byron is doing a dinner at Citronelle. 963-0111
Friday, April 16, 1999
- Bedford-Thompson and Mosby are doing bocce ball, wild foods and appetizers at Arnoldi's Cafe. $30. 962-5394.
- Hitching Post Wines will be featured with light appetizers at the Hitching Post in Buellton. $15. 688-0676
- Lane Tanner hosts a reception at the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium with substantial hors d'oeuvres catered by Elizabeth Korn. $20. 688-4409.
Saturday, April 17, 1999
- Arthur Earl, Daniel Gehrs and Los Olivos Vintners is doing a barrel tasting and barbecue at Arthur Earl Winery in Buellton. $25. 688-9665.
- Brewer-Clifton, Cambria, Foxen, Hitching Post and Lane Tanner are participants in the Julia's Vineyard artisan winemaker dinner at the University Club in Santa Barbara. $90. 966-9463.
- Fess Parker Winery hosts a winemaker dinner catered by Brothers Restaurant. $85. 688-1545.
- Jaffurs holds a winemaker dinner at bouchon in Santa Barbara. $65. 730-1160.
- Sunstone hosts a winemaker dinner catered by Lee Schlossberg. $95. 688-9463, extension 234.
- Whitcraft and Vandale hold a winemaker dinner at the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium catered by the Casmalia Hitching Post. $65. 688-4409.
- Zaca Mesa holds its annual Dixie Chicken Barn Dance catered by Ono Barbecue. $55. 688-9339 extension 300.
Sunday, April 18, 1999
- Bedford Thompson near Los Alamos holds a winemaker dinner in the Old Winery Barn. $65. 344-2107
- Buttonwood Farm holds a 10th anniversary winemaker dinner, catered by Ono Barbecue. $60. 688-3032.
- Cottonwood Canyon holds a dinner catered by Michael Albright. $78. 937-9063,
- Foley Estates holds a winemaker dinner catered by Banks & Sons. $75. 688-8554.
- Foxen holds a winemaker dinner catered by Chef Rick. $95. 937-4251.
- Gainey holds a winemaker dinner catered by Pete Clements of Emilio's Ristorante. $90. 688-0558 extension 11.
- Sunstone hosts a winemaker dinner catered by Lee Schlossberg. $95. 688-9463, extension 234.
Bon appetit!
- Byron holds its annual brunch with the winemaker catered by Kirsten Pedersen. $65. 937-7288.
Bob Senn writes The Independent's monthly wine column, "Grapevine," lives in the Los Alamos Valley and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
