Springtime in the Vineyards: Behind the Scenes
Springtime doesn’t get as much spotlight as harvest, but out in the vineyards, it’s where the direction of the vintage begins to take shape. The way the vines are growing, how the weather is taking shape, and the choices our vineyard manager and winemaker are making right now will define our 2025 vintage.
At EFESTĒ, around 85% of our grapes come from our three Estate vineyards: Angela’s and Taylor Mag in the Red Mountain AVA, and Oldfield in the Yakima Valley AVA. Each site has its own unique conditions that help grow a variety of different grape kinds, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Grenache. Since we employ a minimal intervention approach to winemaking, the unique characteristics of each vineyard shines through in every different wine we make.
Vineyard Management
Although harvest is the time where we see the results of our hard work, Spring is when we make a lot of the decisions that will help us get there. As the vines come out of dormancy, decisions need to be made about how to prune, thin, and shape the new growth, which will set them up for a healthy growing season.
We need to already be thinking ahead: how much fruit do we need to ensure we can pick the best quality grapes, and how can we avoid growing more than we need? Spring is when we make all of these crucial decisions so that we can be picky about the grapes we keep and use—avoiding wasting anything we don’t need.
New Growth
Once temperatures begin to rise, green shoots and leaves begin to spring up across the vineyards. The new growth isn’t just a welcome sign of the season, they also impart important insights. Some varietals grow faster than others this time of year, and that helps us predict which ones will ripen first later on. These little clues are key for planning harvest, even months in advance.
Just last week, our winemaker Mark Fiore visited Angela’s and Taylor Mag Vineyards in Red Mountain to see how things are progressing. He captured some great shots of the vines waking up, and you can already see the difference in growth between varietals. It’s exciting to watch things come to life—and to imagine what’s ahead for the vintage.
Looking Ahead
Spring may feel quiet, but it’s full of important work and big decisions. Everything happening in the vineyard right now sets the tone for the year ahead—and helps shape the wines that you’ll be sipping in the years to come.
We’ll keep sharing updates from the vineyard as the season unfolds. For now, we’re enjoying the new green growth and keeping a close eye on what’s to come!
