I wanted to share a couple shots I took recently of two vineyards I've been using for several years.

Notice anything?

Rocks!

Lots of rocks. These are hillside vineyards or more specifically, vineyards located on the tops of hills across Dry Creek Valley. The topography and geology of these sites is very different than the Dry Creek or Alexander valley floor.

Very rarely are things perfectly uniform. Soil types can change in the vineyard, warming and cooling patterns, water drainage, and sun exposure are all different even within a single vineyard site. Knowing these differences between vineyards and intra-vineyard are critical details for both the winemaker and vineyard management teams throughout the season, not just at harvest time. When to prune and water is part of the cause and effect decision chain that ultimately results in when to pick.