Grapes

The vines won't be mature for a couple more years, so I snip the fruit clusters in early summer so they don't divert energy from the vine. But I left a few to ripen, so I could taste 'em!

Vines in Full Glory

Last day of August. No more watering from now on. We'll drain the system and let the vines beging the process of lignification and hardening for winter.

BMW Plant Breaks Ground in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — BMW’s Megacity Vehicle begins in Moses Lake with a new carbon fiber plant, a company official said Wednesday.

“What you’re seeing today, are new and innovative ideas, to make carbon fiber for a car that’s never existed,” said Kenn Sparks, a media relations manager for BMW Group. “I think you would be proud to say that, in a lot of ways, it really does begin here.”

The groundbreaking for BMW/SGL Group’s carbon fiber plant was celebrated Wednesday with more than 90 dignitaries attending.

Hiring for about 80 permanent employees begins in 2011 and should increase to 200 full-time positions.

Farmer's Daughter

Quinci helped me out with some late pruning, and I gave her driving lessons around the property. Surreal to see her driving off in my pickup.

We had a great day.

Spring in the Vineyard

Spring Cleaning in the Vineyard

Esteban, Gilbert & I (mostly them) have spent the past several weeks cleaning up the rows, getting the rocks out of the isles, smoothing rough spots, burning tumbleweeds, weeding the rows, and digging holes for 400 additional plants (target planting date April 9.) The site looks great.

I'm going to do a late pruning to better assess winter die-back, and to make sure we get through the last of frost season first.