Hello From Hank!

Happy spring to you! In previous newsletters, I’ve discussed the work we are doing with our soils in the vineyard. One of the problems we have faced is how to deliver some of the things that we want to add to the soil. We have looked at many pieces of equipment to place compost mixed with other nutrients directly under the vines. At last our search has come to an end. This week we have received delivery on a gravity flow side gate fertilizer spreader. Visualize a steel box with a slanted floor delivering product to a side door with a chute. The capacity of this new tool is equivalent of about 250 bushels. A chute is attached to the exit point below the door and can be adjusted to place a continuous line of compost and fertilizer exactly where we want it, the bare spot directly under the canopy. We expect to start this process within the next couple of weeks.

What preceded the decision to buy this piece of equipment grew out of extensive analysis of our soil testing. Our new process will allow us to replenish very specifically certain soil components that have been used by the vines. We expect to see some immediate results and continuing improvements as years go by.

Switching subjects to a different part of our business, we are making some small changes to our villas. Every week, I read through a stack of completed questionnaires from our villa guests. What has appeared repeatedly is a request for full-length mirrors in every villa. We have taken the advice of our customer and are in the process of installing full-length mirrors in the villas that do not already have them so that we will have 100% of the Villages equipped.