Blog contributed by Angela Callaway, Burning Daylight Estate Vineyard, Burleson, TX
At Burning Daylight Estate, winter technically still holds a few weeks on the page of the
calendar, but the vineyard has already begun its spring celebration. Warmer than usual
temperatures have stirred the vines from their winter rest earlier than expected. Buds
are beginning to swell, sap has started to flow, and the vineyard once again welcomes
many of its beneficial friends. Green lacewings, predatory wasps, and the familiar
spotted wings of ladybugs are all getting ready to answer their seasonal calling to patrol
the canopy.
For vineyard managers, these early signs of life bring both excitement and a renewed
sense of urgency. Winter pruning, which has been proceeding at a steady pace through
the colder months, suddenly shifts gears. The work must transition into more precise
spring decision pruning as the vines begin to wake. Timing becomes critical. Workers
must move quickly to ensure pruning is completed at the right stage of development,
often placing significant strain on labor resources as the pace of work accelerates.
Unexpected rain events add another layer of complexity. Pruning cannot continue in wet
conditions as moisture prevents proper wound healing and can leave fresh cuts
vulnerable to infection and fungal disease. Each forecasted rain event pauses progress
in the vineyard, compressing an already narrow window of opportunity.
The fluctuating temperature itself also carries risks. Elevated temperatures prompt vines
to break dormancy but if a late freeze follows, those tender new buds can be severely
damaged or lost entirely. Even without a freeze, dramatic swings between warm and
cold temperatures can stress the vine’s vascular system, sometimes resulting in weak
or stunted growth that affects both the current vintage and the seasons that follow.
[Editor’s Note: Many of our Texas Wine Growers members across Texas suffered freezing conditions on St. Patrick’s Day.]
These challenges are just a few examples of the delicate balance of farming. Yet
despite the uncertainty, spring remains one of the most inspiring moments in the
vineyard year. Each swelling bud represents possibility. Each season unfolds a little
differently than the one before, shaped by the environment and the countless decisions
made along the way.
That unpredictability is part of what makes growing wine grapes both humbling and
deeply rewarding. Every vintage tells a new story, and every spring marks the beginning
of another chapter. For those of us who have been enchanted by the vines, it is always
a thrill to see what the coming growing season will bring.
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