Tractor Tails: Spring Edition

Aaron's Vineyard Update - 4/1/26: 

Spring Is Jumping the Gun in the Vineyard!
If you’ve spent any time around farming, you know nature doesn’t always check the calendar. This year, she seems to have flipped ahead a couple of pages without telling anyone. We’re officially into early spring activity in the vineyard—and by “early,” I mean about two weeks ahead of schedule.


Bud Break Is Off to the Races...
The Nebbiolo and parts of the Chardonnay blocks have already hit bud break, which is always one of those moments that feels equal parts exciting and mildly nerve-wracking. It’s the vineyard’s version of stretching after a long nap—everything waking up, full of potential… and completely exposed to whatever spring decides to throw next.

Meanwhile, Pinot Noir is still taking its time, sitting comfortably in the wooly bud phase like it’s not quite ready to commit. Classic Pinot behavior—never in a rush, always on its own schedule.


Sheep: The Unsung Vineyard Crew
Before we get too far into tractor season, it’s worth tipping our hats to the real MVPs of late winter: the sheep.

They’ve done exactly what we asked—trimmed down the grass and cover crop with remarkable precision, all while contributing a little “natural fertilizer” along the way. Efficient, sustainable, and significantly less complaining than most crews. Hard to argue with that kind of work ethic.

With their job complete, under-vine cultivation has now begun. In other words, it’s time for us humans to step back in and clean up what the sheep politely left behind.


A Little Early, A Little Different
Bud break coming early puts a slightly different tone on the season. It’s not necessarily a bad thing—but it does mean we’ll be keeping a closer eye on weather patterns, especially those spring cold snaps that like to show up uninvited.

Farming keeps you humble like that. Just when you think you’ve got the timing figured out, the vineyard reminds you who’s really in charge.


Changes in the Blocks
This season also brings some meaningful changes in the vineyard layout.

We’re grafting over two blocks of Chardonnay:
- One will transition to Wädenswil (a clone that should bring some exciting structure and character)
- The other is making a more dramatic shift—moving from Chardonnay to Coury Pinot Noir

Yes, you read that right. Chardonnay making way for Pinot. If vines could talk, this would probably qualify as a major identity shift.


Dirt Work and the Lower Vineyard
In addition to what’s happening above ground, we’re continuing development in the lower vineyard. April will be dedicated largely to dirt work—moving soil, refining layout, and setting the stage for future plantings.

It’s not the glamorous side of vineyard life, but it’s the kind of work that quietly determines how everything else performs down the line.


Looking Ahead
So here we are: early bud break, sheep off duty, tractors warming up, and a few blocks getting a complete makeover.

Spring doesn’t ease into things—it kicks the door open and gets moving. And this year, it showed up early and didn’t bother to knock.

We’ll keep you posted as the season unfolds. For now, we’re keeping one eye on the vines and the other on the weather… 

Cheers from your friendly farmer, 
Aaron

Have any vineyard or farming questions for Aaron? Feel free to connect with him directly via email at ajachter@jachterwine.com