Spring has arrived, and with it comes bud break! This is one of our favorite times of year, as it marks the official start of a new growing season — not to mention, it is absolutely beautiful. Read on to learn a little more about bud break and what we’re seeing in the vineyard this year.

Why It’s Important

Outside of harvest, bud break is one of the busiest times in the vineyard. Prior to bud break, it is common practice to prune the vines. During pruning, the vines will “bleed,” which is the first sign they are waking up from dormancy and that bud break is just around the corner. “Bleeding” refers to the vine priming its internal systems for the upcoming season.

Bud break is the vine’s initiation of new growth. These tiny buds will develop into shoots, leaves, and eventually the clusters that become this year’s crop — making this stage incredibly important in setting the foundation for the entire season.

2026 Bud Break

This year has brought some unique and fast-moving conditions in the vineyard. With an early stretch of very warm temperatures, we moved rapidly through bud break and into bloom in a matter of days — a process that typically unfolds over several weeks, if not a full month. It’s been an exciting and dynamic start to the season, keeping us on our toes.

More recently, we’ve received a significant amount of rain over the past week, which rain is always  welcomed, but brings its own set of issues with the potential of mildew. This moisture is helping to replenish soil levels and support continued vine growth as we move further into the season.

Given the accelerated timing, we are closely monitoring vine development and adjusting our vineyard practices accordingly. As always, maintaining vine health is a top priority, and we are actively implementing our fungicide program to help protect against potential issues such as powdery mildew.

While this season has started differently than most, it’s a great reminder of how dynamic and responsive farming can be. Each vintage tells its own story, and 2026 is already shaping up to be a memorable one.

Have questions? We would love to hear from you.
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