I do not blame you all if many had given up, thought Vineman had fallen off the perch, gone to Italy for good or was just plain SLACK!!

I have to confess it was just the latter - well not slack but busy on one hand and has found it hard to dedicate the time to put together a few musings for his followers.  Well he is back, dedicated and will make a pledge to post at least once a week for this season and beyond.

To summarise the past few months:

Pruning was attacked immediately upon return from a wonderfull trip to Puglia, Umbria and Valtellina(Italy) as well La Rochelle (France).  Winter has gone on and on with great rains BUT heaps of wet days, cold/damp soils and delayed bud burst.

I would say that things have only just started to move since the begining of the month.  Bud burst is complete and the fantastic Gherardi Margaret River Viognier has well and truly burst and in desperate need of shoot thining.  Shall be done this weekend.

Now followers will remember the issues we have had with kangaroos in the past, especially at this time of the season.  They seem to think that new grape vine shoots are sweeter than the abundant grass growing in the vineyard.  The old faithfull dog “Caddie” has done a great job keeping them out of the vines by chasing them off the property.  Well as you can see she now can only lay around and sleep, apart from being rather deaf.  Old age even catches up on the dog.

So effort was spent searching for a similar breed (Kelpie x Border Collie) dog to take over the reins after much training filling in of holes!!

A cute little pup was found so “Pippa” was introduced to the vineyard. She has spent some time inside until she is familiar with her new territory.

Play time is important as teeth need strengthening as well sleeping.  After four weeks she now spends most of the time outside and wants to learn what her role is.  Thinks that keeping me company int he office is real fun as well.

Not quite big enough yet to keep the roos out, in fact has yet to see one face to face, this week the first damage has occurred and so some improvisation has been needed.

The buggers have been coming through the front gate and helping themselves and have eaten new shoots from the first couple of panels.  That means no fruit from those vines this year!

You can notice the shoots which have been eaten in the foreground compared to those in the background.  Will have to hope the vine growth keeps ahead of the roos appetite and that “Pippa” grows quickly, learns her role and doesn’t think this vineyard stuff is just fun.

So until next week, Ciao from Vineman