Vineyard Evolution

Trunk Training At Gantz Family Vineyards

Trunk Training At Gantz Family Vineyards

We've been trunk training the 500-600 new plants that make up our expanded Pinot block, our new Chardonnay block and re-plants of failed vines throughout the vineyard. It's historic work when you consider that those crooked, gnarly trunks you see in old vineyards were once very delicate shoots.

Adding A Second Irrigation Line

Adding A Second Irrigation Line

We added a second irrigation line recently in order to better see to the needs of individual Pinot Noir plants. The compact size of Gantz Family Vineyards – we have 4.5 planted acres – allows us to manage the property on a micro-level and pay this kind of attention.

New Gantz Family Vineyards Website

New Gantz Family Vineyards Website

As our vineyard has evolved, so has our online presence. The main thing we’ve come to understand is that this is more than 1s and 0s flying through the air. We’re talking to you: our Russian River Valley compatriots, our friends in the wine industry, Pinot lovers, wine country romantics, family and friends. The screen really isn’t there. This is just us, Clay and Celeste and Angelina, honored to have this opportunity to talk to you.

Gantz Family Vineyards' New Manager: Jim Pratt

Gantz Family Vineyards' New Manager: Jim Pratt

Gantz Family Vineyards is proud to announce our new relationship with vineyard manager Jim Pratt and his company, Cornerstone Certified Vineyard. Jim has 30 years of experience overseeing vines here in the Russian River Valley and specializes in managing small vineyards like ours.

Veraison at Gantz Family Vineyards

Veraison reminds us of watching a person grow from child to adult in one season. The fruit changes from skinny, scraggly blossoms to firm, green clusters to ripe, mature berries. Like childhood, it happens so fast you could get whiplash, yet the daily search for a berry, a cluster or the first blush of color seems eternal.

Flowering at Gantz Family Vineyards

We have flowering in Block 4 here at Gantz Family Vineyards. Block 4 was the home of an overgrown kiwi patch when we bought the property. Now, it seems to be our most vigorous block – perhaps because it’s at the highest peak of our property – so we’re not surprised to see it blooming first.

Pruning and the Beginning of Our Second Growing Season

In the “It Never Gets Old” category, we woke up early Tuesday morning to a line of cars parked in the vineyard. That can only mean one thing: It’s time to begin this year’s growing season by pruning the vines. When to prune and how to prune are the first of many decisions we make each growing year. In almost every respect, they are the most important decisions.