From the Fields - Jim Spinetta

By Jim Spinetta, Amador County winegrape grower

Due to frost last year, winegrape yields in the foothills were down 70% to 90%, especially with Barbera, which was hit the hardest. In some areas, we got down to about 14 degrees. Even apple, pear, persimmon and pomegranate trees were damaged because of the frost.

Since Mother Nature likes to average things out, the grape crop was up almost 200% this year. On average, we get 3 and a half tons per acre, and we were getting almost 8 tons to the acre in certain areas. The quality was still there. Usually, when you get a heavy crop, there can be bunch rot, mold and mildew, but it was a very late harvest.

This year, all the fruit trees were loaded with fruit. Because trees can be alternate bearing, this was a big year, so when pruning, we’re going to leave a few extra spurs, a few extra buds, because I think it’s going to be a lighter crop after such a heavy crop.

A lot of the crew has made their seasonal trip to see their families in Mexico. They are returning in a few weeks after the holidays, and then we’re going to be full gear going into pruning mode. We are going to start pruning the vineyards and doing replants, including for those plants that got hit by “tractor blight.”

We are always proactive with wildfire abatement and ensuring there are fire breaks. I’m standing in the field. It’s 45 degrees. There was dew this morning, but the starthistle is 3 feet tall, so we keep active fire breaks all year. We’re always thinking ahead, so thinning trees and keeping brush under control.

At the Farm Bureau annual meeting, I took advantage of continuing education hours for pesticide licensing because I need to stay up to date. I participated in the one-hour class and then took the test and passed. I am very thankful to the sponsors for offering the class.