Cabernet Sauvignon - Chicago

A few updates from the patch of garden/flower beds in southeast Logan Square. The Cabernet Sauvignon vines that were transplanted from pots to soil earlier in the summer went through a period of shock, in other words they simply just held. Such behaviour didn't surprise me as the plants were moved into a new living environment. At times more than a few leaves seemed to reveal plants that were struggling. These pieces of evidence began to worry as this year I have not had the best track record with bringing cuttings through the critical first 10-12 weeks after Bud Break.   The following photographs of the vines were taken on Friday July 9 2010

As a comparison, I took a few photographs (featured below) of the vines this morning Wednesday August 25, 2010. I am pleased to see the results of 7 weeks of heat, water, and sun affecting, for the better, these young Cabernet Sauvignon cuttings that were lopped off of my parents' Cabernet Sauvignon vine in St. Louis, Missouri late one Friday Feb 26 2010 during late-winter pruning.

The final vine that I photographed is one that I simply wanted to get in the ground before Sept 1, 2010. I must've planted it on Wednesday Aug 18, 2010. It is another cutting from my parents' vine in St. Louis, MO. I just wanted to experiment by getting it in the ground earlier than I put the Syrah vines in the ground last year, which I am almost certain I did after Sept 1, 2009 (and by that measure I mean it may well have been Sept 10th or 15th, I wasn't as good about documenting back then). What I hope to discover next spring is that this 3rd cutting will grow and have vigor. When such activity occurs I will then have a better sense of what the parameters are for planting late in the summer in Chicago, IL. It is entirely possible that last year's Syrah cuttings just didn't have adequate time to get situated before the cool air came around. Even this morning at 6AM the air was quite cool in Chicago when I was outside. All of these details are important to consider.

Harvest photos - Sleepy Creek Vineyards, part deux

Have a few more great photos from my time of harvesting Frontenac grapes at Sleepy Creek Vineyards two weekends ago. More to come, actually, I just need to make the time to get the photos up.

the near-bungee cord used to fasten the vine to the aluminum wire was new to me.

the grapes were really shining in that morning Sunday light.

Dude watching over the harvesters amongst the Frontenac grave vines.

Dude

a wider scope of a Frontenac grape vine

Enjoy!

Harvesting Frontenac Grapes in Central Illinois

The following photographs depict what I was involved in yesterday Sunday August 15, 2010. I had a wonderful time harvesting grapes (Frontenac grapes, no less) and observing the so-called 'Crush' and 'Pressing' steps in the whole process toward creating wine. The wines that were pressed yesterday probably won't be bottled until January 2011 the owner informed.

updates from the Glen Ellyn, IL vines

The following photographs were taken 7 days ago (Sunday Aug 8, 2010). Very good news. It appears that the vines will be ready for the winters of DuPage County. Looking forward to more growth in the coming weeks and to seeing the current vines turn to wood from the harsh winter coming up.

Frontenac grape vine located front-left in the yard. (1 of 2 photos same vine).  Glen Ellyn, IL.

Frontenac grape vine located front-left in the yard.  Glen Ellyn, IL (2 of 2 photos, same vine)

Frontenac grape vine. (2 of 2 photos) Located back-left in the yard.  Glen Ellyn, IL.

Frontenac grape vine Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  Situated back-left in the yard (1 of 2)

La Crescent grape vine (1 of 2 photos same vine - front-right in the yard)

La Crescent grape vine in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  This vine apparently has taken the longest to respond to the soils and get situated for growth and development.

La Crescent grape vine.  Location back-right in the yard (1 of 2 shots for same vine).

La Crescent vine, located back-right in the yard.

View of the four vines all together as planted on location in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  Planted back in May 2010.  They seem to be doing very well.  The immediate neighbor to the north is quite intrigued and always asks after them.

Dachshund dog with the grape vines.  Frontenac on the left, La Crescent on the right.  Dog in the middle (name for canine:  'AC'.  Sweet dog with an overbite that makes it appear to be smiling all the day long).

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I am supposed to be sleeping at this precise moment, but instead I am finishing a blog posting because I can't sleep. I will be assisting with a grape harvest in the morning, in a few hours, at a vineyard in central Illinois. I'll keep you all posted on how things unfold. I was supposed to help out on Saturday morning, but I couldn't wake up. I worked 16 hours and 45 minutes on Friday and needed some sleep. Foolish of me to think I could drive 3 hours and 20 minutes after such a work shift. Can't win 'em all. Gettin' back on the horse soon, though.

Wednesday to Wednesday growth measurments with photography - Syrah vines

A beautiful Syrah grape vine leaf.  Chicago Illinois Wed Aug 4 2010. That's a vine growing in Southeast Logan Square, my readers!!!!  Dig it!

Note the green string on the left of the horizontal fence post.   It was placed on the fence July 28, 2010 Wed to begin measurements.   Measurements on Wed Aug 4 2010 (date of photo) conveyed growth of 8 inches, perhaps 9 in one week's time since the 28th of July.

Front porch Syrah grape vine. Wed Aug 4 2010

Front porch Syrah grape vine, picture # 2.  Wed Aug 4 2010.  This is the vine that is doing the best of the two being measured.  Very hardy and vigorous growth for an urban setting.  Curious where things will be come Sept 15, 2010 despite my estimation that the better part of the growing season concludes around Sept 1 for the Chicagoland area.

We'll be back with more updates. Just pulling it all together.


Happy growing!