Breeding Barn Vineyard
Our original vineyard site, which we lease from Shelburne Farms, is located just south of the historic Breeding Barn. This site is situated on the sloping shores of Lake Champlain with a beautiful view of the lake and high peaks of the Adirondacks.
Established spring 1998 • 2.2 acres
Grapes grown on this site:
LaCrescent
Planted: 2005
Spacing: 10′ x 8′
Training: High-Wire Bilateral Cordon
St. Croix
Planted: 2008
Spacing: 10′ x 8′
Training: High-Wire Bilateral Cordon
Vidal Blanc
Planted: 2009
Spacing: 10′ x 6′
Training: Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP)
History:
This site was originally planted with three white wine varieties: Cayuga, Riesling, and Vignoles. We removed much of the Cayuga in 2005 when yields plunged after the harsh winters of 2004 and 2005 and replaced it with LaCrescent. In 2008, after disease got the best of the remaining Cayuga vines, we decided it would be best to remove them as well. This area was replanted with Vidal Blanc in 2009, in effort to increase our ice wine production.
Vineyard Specifics:
Our Breeding Barn Vineyard faces southwest with a North-South row orientation. A gentle 3-8% slope allows for good air drainage and frost protection. Prevailing N and S winds have a constant presence, helping to keep our vines dry. Palatine silt loam dominates the soil under these vines. Formed in glacial till derived from limestone and calcareous shale, this loamy soil has a very high natural fertility and excellent drainage, making it a perfect home for grape culture.
