Steven Brown, Indian Springs Farm & Vineyard
Woodstock, VA
Château Morrisette goes to painstaking efforts to ensure that its wine grapes
are of the highest quality available each growing season. This guarantees that the
winemaker has an excellent platform of “raw” product on which to build and ensures
that the finished wine offered for sale is of the highest quality and value. Some wine
experts estimate that 75% to 80% of the quality of a finished wine is the direct result of
the wine grapes.
Château Morrisette’s vineyard representatives inspect the quality of grape
production in the field and make recommendations for improving upcoming harvests.
The future quality of the wine is dependent upon harvesting wine grapes at just
the right moment, prompt shipment of the grapes, proper methods of crushing and
pressing, evaluation and testing in the laboratory , and the final personal touch of the
winemaker.
At Indian Springs Farm & Vineyard a detailed plan is prepared each season which
becomes a living and working document outlining tasks and repairs required in the
vineyard. The final goal of that plan is a perfect product for harvest. After harvest and
the first hard freeze, Indian Springs’ vineyard manager begins winter pruning of almost
19,000 vines. Pruning activity takes about five months from late October through
March with temperatures ranging from the mid-30’s to the low teens. Each vine takes
about two minutes to assess and prune. Every grapevine is considered a unique “individual”
and is pruned to meet the vine’s particular growth needs.
By mid-March, renewal canes become more flexible and are hand-tied to the
cordon wire creating stability for the fruit-bearing portion of the vine. This task must
be completed by mid-April before each cane has small new and tender buds protruding.
New buds are very attractive to night time critters and cut worms that love to eat
them. Once a bud is damaged, the shoot will not produce a healthy cluster of grapes, if
any at all.
As healthy buds break open, they become “shoots” which produce the clusters
of wine grapes. Each shoot is hand tucked under one of the three catch wires and
trained to grow upward into the trellis system. During the season each shoot will
grow to lengths in excess of six to eight feet and contain over 20 to 30 leaves. Every
attempt is made by our team to open up the fruit zone by removing leaves around
the clusters and trimming the shoots to acceptable lengths so that sunlight can reach
each cluster and air can penetrate the canopy effectively.
In addition to maintaining a disease and pest free canopy during the hot and
humid summer, our crews mow over 30 miles of vineyard rows and headlands every
ten to fourteen days. Unwanted weeds and grasses beneath the trellis system are
removed by hand so as not to rob the vines of nutrients and water. Fertilizer is distributed
throughout the vineyard based on soil and petiole chemical analyses conducted
during the season.
Around mid-August, grape clusters become mature wine grapes, and we begin
the process of testing the berries for ripeness by taking weekly samples throughout
the vineyard. These samples are hand picked and sent to the lab at Château Morrisette
for analysis. The best method of determining ripeness is by evaluating the “must” or
juice and by looking at the seeds within the berry. The darker brown the seed, the
riper the berry. Harvest can be an intense day and 6 to 8 hours are required to harvest
20 tons or more of grapes for transport.
Lovers of Virginia wine may never experience directly how wine evolves from
the vineyard into the bottle, but they do appreciate a wine’s “bouquet,” how the wine
affects their palate, and how the wine’s “finish” shapes the lingering after taste. It is the
bottle’s contents that offer confirmation of their personal selection.
The grape-growing process has required the full commitment and daily efforts
from my team and the continued support and advice of Chateau Morrisette. Working
out in the elements all year is challenging at best, certainly not meant for everyone.
For me, it is a wonderful life style. Each season brings me delight and creates new
fervor. The end of harvest is very satisfying. And yet, I am grateful as . . . a new season
begins.
Steven Brown is owner and operator of Indian Springs Farm & Vineyard, located in the
Shenandoah Valley near Woodstock, VA. Steven has been a supplier of premium Chardonnay,
Cabernet Franc, Vidal and Chambourcin grapes to Château Morrisette Winery
for many years.
Great Fun! Less Stress!
Reduce stress and take advantage of one of our weekend packages where almost
everything has been planned for you. You make the reservations; we have already
made the plans. Please call 540.593.2865 or check the website www.thedogs.com for
more information.
Fishing for Two and Our Dog Blue: Chateau Morrisette and Greasy Creek Outfitters together offer you a fabulous weekend of fine dining, fishing, and wine tasting.
Lose yourself in the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains while drifting the New
River casting for smallmouth bass. $595 for two through October 2007.
Mountain Golf Getaway: Chateau Morrisette and the elegant Inn at Hope Springs
Farm invite you to catch the mountain breezes and enjoy a round of golf. Each package
provides accommodations, dining, wine and more! $561 for two through November
2007.
Black Dog Wine & Music Festival Weekend Package:
Spend a festival weekend with us and enjoy live music on a beautiful Saturday
afternoon with notable artists. The Black Dog Festival Weekend Package includes two
concert tickets, two wine glasses and two winery tours and full wine tastings, music
on the lawn from 11 am-7 pm, a $75 Chateau Morrisette gift certificate, and a lodging
coupon with a value of $100 toward Saturday evening’s lodging for two. $210. July 14,
August 11 or October 13, 2007.
Outdoor Theatre Package: “A Bad Year for Tomatoes” by John Patrick
Spend a weekend or just the day enjoying outdoor theatre and dining at Chateau Morrisette.
See play description under September 22-23 Calendar of Events.
Saturday September 22, dinner, theatre and lodging for two $205.00
Sunday September 23, brunch and matinee for two $80.00 |
Château Morrisette is pleased to list the following area lodging for your convenience. As the type and quality of each establishment may vary, we request
that you inquire about the services offered by calling the inn or lodge before you visit.
Almost Heaven Cottage
Meadows of Dan, VA
(2.5 miles from winery)
919.540.3929
Ambrosia Farm Bed & Breakfast
Floyd, VA
(7 miles from winery)
540.745.6363
Buffalo Mountain Cottage
Willis, VA
(5 miles from winery)
540.593.4107 or 276.952.6282
Blue Ridge Sky View Bed & Breakfast
Willis, VA
(6 miles from winery)
540.789.7777 or 540.314.0596
Compton Cottage
Floyd, VA
(2 miles from winery)
336.540.0910
Danview Retreat
Meadows of Dan, VA
(6 miles from winery)
540.593.3929
Doe Run Lodging at Ground Hog Mountain
Fancy Gap, VA
(17 miles from winery)
276.398.4099 or 866.398.4099
Dutchies View Bed & Breakfast
Woolwine, VA
(13 miles from winery)
276.930.3701
Eagles Nest Bed & Breakfast
Willis, VA
(5 miles from winery)
540.593.2101
Indigo Mountain Cottage
Floyd, VA
(10 miles from winery)
703.796.0626
Inn at Hope Springs Farm
Willis, VA
(14 miles from winery)
540.789.3276
The Inn and Cottages at Orchard Gap
Fancy Gap, VA
(23 miles from winery)
276.398.3206
Lawson House Inn
Floyd, VA
(12 miles from winery)
540.745.7829
Meadowood Bed & Breakfast
Milepost 174.2 Blue Ridge Parkway
Meadows of Dan, VA
(2 miles from winery)
540.593.3929
Miracle Farm Bed & Breakfast
Floyd, VA
(11 miles from winery)
540.789.2214
The Mountain Rose Inn
Woolwine, VA
(15 miles from winery)
276.930.1057
Murphy’s Guest House
Floyd, VA
(4 miles from winery)
336.274.2726 or 336.707.3241
Oak Haven Lodge
Floyd, VA
(12 miles from winery)
540.745.5716
Old Spring Farm Bed & Breakfast
Woolwine, VA
(20 miles from winery)
276.930.3404
Pine Tavern Lodge
Floyd, VA
(13 miles from winery)
540.745.4428
Poor Farmer’s Guest House
Meadows of Dan, VA
(2 miles from winery)
276.952.2670 or 540.593.3062
Primland
Meadows of Dan, VA
(18 miles from winery)
276.222.3800 or 866.960.7746
River Walk Cabins
Meadows of Dan, VA
(6 miles from winery)
336.312.1421 or 276.952.2648
Stonewall Bed & Breakfast
Floyd, VA
(12 miles from winery)
540.745.2861
Weather Hill Cabin
Meadows of Dan, VA
(3 miles from winery)
540.593.3929
Wildwood Cabins
Willis, VA
(3.5 miles from winery)
540.593.3303
Woodberry Inn
Milepost 174 Blue Ridge Parkway
Meadows of Dan, VA
(2 miles from winery)
540.593.2567 |