Winter of 2014′s certain Slant of light

ByRandy Caparoso
Winter pruning of own-rooted, head trained 53-year old Zinfandel vines on the west side of Lodi’s Mokelumne River AVA

There’s a certain Slant of light, Emily Dickinson famously wrote, describing “Winter.” Don’t we know it, whether or not we can put it into our own words.

Winter in Lodi is not nearly as much of a Dickinsonian “Heavenly Hurt” as in colder climate regions, but we have our own “Shadows… holding their breath.” This year, in 2014, it was a question of rain. In early February there was still doubt that we would ever get any, and the rows between vines normally bursting with green growth were bare, strangely desolate, inconsolable. In recent weeks, of course, the sandy loams have finally begun to drink up draughts “sent us of the Air,” and the “look of Death” between the rows has finally turned to something living, breathing… ah, the welcomed threat of Spring!

Photographs, like poems, can say so much with so little. Here are a few of our shots that shall always help us remember Lodi’s winter of 2014:

Vineyard with gnarled grapevines and yellow wildflowers in Lodi, California, during spring.
After the first rains of February, wild mustards immediately spring up among the ancient Zinfandel vines
Close-up of a blooming winegrape flower in Lodi, California, showcasing delicate petals and vibrant stamens.
Pretty in pink: cherry blossoms losing their petals
Vineyard rows with grapevines and green ground cover in Lodi, California, under an overcast sky.
Mid-February in Phillips Farms’ Bare Ranch: mix of flowering mustard, fava beans, peas, vetch, oats and barley (“the best looking cover crop in Lodi,” according to vineyard manager Emiliano Castanon)
Lodi winegrape vineyard with gnarled vines in foggy conditions, showcasing prime grape-growing region.
Early February fog among old vine Zinfandel in Maley Brothers’ Wegat Vineyard
Vineyard in Lodi with a large tree in the foreground and rows of grapevines in the background during sunset.
Golden late afternoon light on ancient oak in west side of Lodi in late February
Sunset over Lodi winegrape orchard with blooming trees and long shadows on the grass.
Late February: setting sun through showering cherry trees and trellised vines on Lodi’s west side
Blooming cherry blossoms in a Lodi winegrape orchard during springtime with lush green grass and trees.
Another close-up of flowering cherry trees in Lodi
Man tasting red wine at Lodi Winegrape Commission event, wearing a cap and plaid shirt, in a winery setting.
Late February: Terra Divina’s Patrick Campbell tastes Lodi Zinfandel that will be blended in his classic REDS bottling
Klinker Brick’s Joseph Smith barrel samples Carignan from Jean Rauser’s ancient vines (planted 1906)
Patrick Campbell compares color of ancient vine Carignan and Petite Sirah grown by Jessie’s Grove’s Greg Burns (center)
Lodi generations: Jessie’s Grove’s Greg Burns (center) with winemaking crew
Vineyard worker pruning grapevines in a Lodi wine region vineyard during daytime.
End of February: winter pruning of Lodi’s +100,000 acres goes on… and on
Gnarled, ancient grapevine roots in a Lodi vineyard with pruned vines in the background.
Dismembered arms (i.e. spurs) piling up
Workers harvest winegrapes in a Lodi vineyard during the season.
Winter pruning of old vines includes reaching back breaking lower limbs
Vineyard worker pruning Lodi winegrape vines with pruning shears in a lush vineyard.
Gloves come off when pruning comes to detailing
Pink blossoms frame a vineyard in Lodi, California at sunset, showcasing the region's wine grape cultivation.
Late February: Phillips Farms peach blossoms framing trellised Petite Sirah
Vineyard with blooming grapevines and yellow wildflowers in Lodi, California.
First week of March: after several rains, the cover crop gets waist-high in Phillips Farms’ “Rapture” Cabernet Sauvignon planting, still waiting for its winter pruning, which is delayed because this older vineyard is prone to eutypa (i.e. “dead arm” disease)
Vineyard in Lodi with pruned grapevines and a house in the background during late afternoon.
Setting February sun over Lodi old vines

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