We are running behind on this late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon plot on the Cazebonne block

We are running behind on this late-ripening plot of Cabernet Sauvignon on the Cazebonne block. We need to finish repairing the trellising before we can tie down the canes. Trellis maintenance consists of replacing damaged posts and retensioning the wires. Once this annual task is completed, we can tie the canes (astes) to the trellis wires. Care is needed, however, as the buds are fragile at this stage and it is all too easy to break a few. Fortunately, the recent rain has restored flexibility to the canes, making them far less brittle. We should have finished earlier, but vineyard tasks follow on in rapid succession and we often just do the best we can. We promise we will do better next year (though in truth, we say that every year). Next, we will have to tackle the grass so as not to let it get out of hand. In any case, the soils here are thoroughly alive and have readily absorbed the 60 mm of rain we received.