“Hedging for Exposure" bridges the gap between viticultural science and sensory appreciation. Hedging is the precise trimming of excess vine growth to optimize sunlight penetration and airflow.
This curated TASTE ( Terrior, Artisanal, Small, Trusted, Engagement) experience showcases how canopy management directly alters the chemistry and ultimate flavor profile of the wine.
Guided Vineyard Walk
We start our experience walking through a Vertical Shoot Positioned trellis system.
The Unhedged Tunnel: First, we walk through an unhedged section where shoots are "flopping" over. We look inside to see how excessive shading turns interior leaves yellow and traps cool humidity—the perfect breeding ground for fungal issues.
The Golden Hour Microclimate: Next we transition into the freshly hedged rows. I will demonstrate how trimming the shoots at a 90-degree angle opens up the fruiting zone. This allows dappled morning sunlight to dry the grapes and redirect the vine's photosynthetic energy from growing leaves into ripening the fruit.
The Cool Climate Contrast: I will then explain the specific regional stakes. In cooler or more moderate regions like Oregon, precise VSP hedging is a balancing act: too little exposure leads to underripe, aggressively herbaceous tones, while over-hedging risks sun-scalding the fruit.
Hands-On Interaction
Next we will focus on an interactive, tangible connection to the labor required for premium winemaking.
The 14th Internode Rule: We will all be armed with pruning shears. We will count the leaf nodes on a primary shoot, and learn why viticulturists often target the 12th to 14th node to maintain an optimal leaf-to-cluster ripening ratio.
Tactile Canopy Shaping: We then begin by manually tucking stray shoots into the catch wires or mimicking a precise "top and side" trim on a designated demonstration vine. You will clearly see how immediate geometry influences air movement and light infiltration.
The final component is a blending trial where you leave with a wine you blend.
Private Events
If you are interested in learning more about our offerings, please fill out the request form and we will contact you to discuss details.
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Party size
1 ticket