"There comes a moment on a journey when something sweet, something irresistible and charming as wine raised to thirsty lips, wells up in the traveller's being."

- Patrick MacGill, b. 1889

Things have popped in vineyards throughout the Valley in the last several weeks.  The Chardonnay vines are a foot long with flower buds measuring about 3 inches, still light green and tightly closed. The Merlot is about 4 inches long and small buds are still unfurling in their pale green and pink leaves. I noticed that our neighbor’s Cabernet has also popped, so it’s safe to say everyone with vines is well into the growing season. No frosts to date – yippee - and the inversion fans have been mostly quiet this spring. Happily, . . .