It begins during the winter and early spring, the vines are dormant. During this time there is no visible indication of growth.

Scale Crack – is the first sign of growth.

Early Bud Swell – the bud swells out of the hard outer bud scale. Tis is followed by Late Bud Swell where you can begin to see signs of green leaf growth.

Bud Burst – the bud splits open and the leaf is exposed to the sun.

First Bloom – The flowers begin to open.

Buckshot Berries – Small clusters of berries (grapes) begin to grow.

Green Grape – The berries continue to grow, They are green and hard.

Veraison – The grape berries soften and start to change colour as they start to ripen.

Fruit of the Vine – the berries are soft. They continue to ripen an change coloured as sugar content and berry size increase.

Harvest – The finish line of growth. The grapes are ripe, with a high enough sugar level to pick to begin the fermentation process.

The best way to get an idea of a wine’s color is to get a white background & hold the glass on an angle in front of it.

Pinot Noir is usually less tannic than Cabernet & matures more quickly, generally in two to five years.

Pinot Noir is temperamental. high maintenance, expensive, & difficult to grow and make into wine.