There’s a moment every spring that never gets old. Our vineyard manager Bruce Sonnen is walking the rows, coffee in hand, morning still cool and quiet – and then he sees it. A tiny green bud, barely the size of a fingernail, pushing its way out of the cane (What’s a cane, you ask? It’s a mature, woody shoot from the grapevine that has completed its first full growing season). Bud break. After months of dormancy, the vineyard is waking up, and honestly? So are we.

What the Weather Has Been Up To

This spring has kept us on our toes. We had a stretch of warm, dry days in late February that had us holding our breath – too much warmth too early can push bud break ahead of schedule, leaving young shoots vulnerable to a late frost. Then March came in with its characteristic Willamette Valley mood swings: cold nights, grey skies, and just enough rain to remind the vines who’s boss.

All things considered, we’re calling it a slightly early start to the season, which is actually welcome news. A slower start means a longer growing season ahead, and that’s something we never complain about.

Bud Break: The Moment We’ve Been Waiting For

As of this week, we’re seeing bud break across most of the vineyard. The Pinot Noir blocks are right on schedule, with those hopeful little shoots unfurling in the rows. There’s something almost tender about it – months of patience, and then suddenly, life.

We watch these early weeks closely. Frost is still a real risk through April, and a single bad night can set us back significantly. We’ve got our frost protection plans in place and our fingers crossed that the weather cooperates.

Boots in the Dirt: What We’ve Been Working On

While the vines were sleeping, we certainly weren’t. Late winter and early spring are some of the busiest times in the vineyard, even if things look quiet from the road.

Here’s what we’ve been up to:

Pruning. This is the big one. Every cane cut is a decision – how many buds to leave, how to balance the vine’s energy for the year ahead. We finished up pruning just as bud break began, which felt like perfect timing.

Tying down canes. After pruning, we work through the rows tying the selected canes to the trellis wire. It’s slow, methodical work, and it’s one of those tasks that gives you a lot of time to think (and to appreciate a good podcast).

Cover crop management. The vineyard floor is lush and green right now, and we’ve been mowing between rows to manage competition and keep things tidy as we head into the growing season.

Equipment checks. Tractors, sprayers, irrigation lines – everything gets looked over before the season really kicks into gear. There’s no worse time to discover a problem than when you’re in the middle of needing something.

What’s Ahead

From here, the growing season takes on its own rhythm. We’ll be watching shoot growth, managing the canopy as things fill in, and keeping a close eye on the weather as we head toward summer. Every year is different, and that’s what keeps this work interesting.

We’re cautiously optimistic about 2026. The vines look healthy, the team is energized, and the vineyard is doing what it does best – reminding us that good things take time.

Thanks for following along with us this season. We’ll keep sharing updates as the year unfolds, and we hope you’ll raise a glass with us when harvest comes around.

Cheers from the vineyard, 

Van Duzer Vineyards