Volunteers played a crucial role in this year’s early grape harvest at Mumana Vineyards. Learn how our volunteer pickers helped bring in the grapes and how you can be part of this community-driven vineyard experience
Author: mumanavineyards
The Joy of Harvest: Reflecting on Two Weeks of Grape Picking
At Mumana Vineyards, the harvest season is one of teamwork and joy. Over two weeks, we harvested five different grape varieties, from Petite Milo to New York Muscat, with the help of our dedicated team and volunteers. Despite challenges, the hard work of every picker made this season special. Read on to learn more about the highs and highlights of this year’s grape harvest.
The Harvest is Underway at Mumana Vineyards!
Harvest 2024 is Underway at Mumana Vineyards!
Join us as we celebrate the start of our harvest season. September 18, we began picking four of our grape varieties, including Seyval Blanc and Petite Milo. Discover the unique challenges of harvesting and how we’re navigating the busy season with the help of our amazing team. We’re inviting you to share your thoughts on how we can attract more people to the important work of viticulture and farming. Follow our journey and stay connected with Mumana Vineyards on social media!
Planting Vinifera at Mumana: Navigating Environmental Risks and Weather Uncertainty
Learn how Mumana Vineyards is navigating the environmental risks of planting vinifera grapes like Chardonnay and Riesling. Explore the impact of polar vortexes, the importance of choosing the right rootstock, and key strategies for protecting vines during their first critical years. Discover why vinifera is essential to Mumana’s future.
A New Beginning: Mumana Vineyard’s First Harvest Under New Ownership Is On
On September 9, 2024, Mumana Vineyards completed its first commercial harvest of Itasca grapes under new ownership. Despite the rainy weekend, the vineyard’s young vines produced excellent fruit, with high sugar levels and no signs of rot. This harvest marks a new chapter for Mumana, and we’re excited to share the journey of Kim and Chan’s first year at the helm.
The Stress of an Early Harvest: Weather, Timing, and Grape Readiness
As we prepare to harvest our Marquette grapes earlier than expected, the unpredictability of the weather has added a unique set of challenges. Rain threatens to dilute the sugars in the grapes and complicates crucial vineyard tasks like spraying and thinning. While our Marquette crop is smaller, the quality is excellent due to careful management to avoid overcropping. With rain forecasted through the weekend, we’re gearing up for a window of clearer skies on Monday to bring in this important harvest.
Removing Vine Guards: An Exciting New Step for Our Itasca Vines
At Mumana Vineyards, we’ve been keeping a close eye on our new Itasca vines. These are young vines that were planted after the 2023 polar vortex killed off much of our Chardonnay vines. Most of the new Itasca have reached the first wire, although a few have shot right up to the top wire. Now […]
Managing Bird Pests at Mumana Vineyards: Essential Strategies for Protecting Our Grapes
At Mumana Vineyards, we cherish our connection to the natural world, but protecting our grapes from birds poses a challenge that requires thoughtful intervention. In Falmouth, near the Avon River, we contend with species like starlings, robins, and cedar waxwings, all of which have a keen appetite for our fruit. To preserve our harvest, we’ve […]
The Impact of the February 2023 Polar Vortex on Nova Scotia Vineyards and Mumana
In February 2023, a polar vortex severely impacted Nova Scotia vineyards, including Mumana (formerly Johnston Vineyards). The extreme cold devastated our Chardonnay vines, though a few survived. We’re now exploring strategies to help our vines recover and considering options to replace the lost Chardonnay with cold-hardy varieties or hybrids. Join the conversation and share your insights on protecting vines from harsh winters and building resilience in grape cultivation.
Tutorial: The Art & Science of Thinning – Why Dropping Grapes is Essential for Quality Wine
Thinning, or “dropping” clusters, is a vital vineyard management technique that balances the vine’s load. By removing some grape clusters, we allow the remaining grapes to develop more fully, delivering better ripeness, more concentrated flavours, and an overall higher quality harvest. This process also gives the vine the chance to focus its resources on fewer clusters, leading to healthier grapes with optimal sugar content and flavour profiles.