Protecting the Vineyard from Frost

In the early hours of Tuesday, May 14th, Virginia was under a frost advisory. This calls for attentive action from the winemakers and/or vineyard managers. Spring frost can damage the growing vines and reduce the amount of crop that will ultimately be harvested. If the temperature is below 31 degrees Farenheit for more than 1/2 hour, the vineyard must be attended to in preparation of the falling temperatures. If no action is taken, the cold temperatures will cause the contents of the cells to freeze and expand, causing the cells to no longer be able to contain their liquid and dehydration occurs.

So what did our winemakers do to prepare for this most recent frost advisory?

The Frost Dragon!

This machine fights the frost with fire! The already-budding vines must be kept above 31 degrees to steer clear of losing grapes. The Frost Dragon is effective as long as temperatures don't dip below 28 degrees. This machine is mobile and is able to keep the vines warm in the early morning hours before sunrise. Both winemakers, Johnston and Andrew, were out in the vineyard from 4am-7am to ensure the frost wouldn't affect the vineyard. Andrew said "there was no major damage" resulting from this thanks to their attentiveness.

Wine Tourism Day, May 11th

Saturday, May 11th is Wine Tourism Day. It's the first annual day that focuses on celebrating the importance of wine tourism. Many wineries across North America are participating by hosting special, unique events.

And you guessed it, Boxwood is participating!

We have teamed up with Market Salamander to design a specific picnic basket to pair with our Decanter World Wine Award-winning Boxwood 2007! We encourage people to reserve their picnic basket online, bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic on our grounds. Included in the basket are 2 sandwiches (steak or vegetable options), 2 sides of potato salad, 2 brownies, 2 Boxwood wine glasses and a half bottle of Boxwood 2007 to share!

Want to join us on Saturday, May 11th? Reserve your picnic basket today!

Photo courtesy of Second Ave Photography

Follow the Vintage 2013 - Bud Break

Spring time in the vineyard means one thing: bud break!

The vines have been pruned, maintained and monitored all winter long. In good news, the winemakers, Johnston Moore and Andrew Smuts, have said that the late frost warnings this Spring have not had an effect on the vines!

The first sign of Spring are those little buds with flowering leaves. We took a trip around the vineyard to check out the bud break on all 5 varietals. Here's what we found:



Cabernet Sauvignon is the last to bud and also the last to be harvested.

Malbec has a different leaf shape (round), which makes it easy to spot.

Merlot leaves are said to have a "big tongue" meaning the middle of the leaf is large and wide similar to a tongue.

Petit Verdot has a whitish film on the back of the leaves which is an easy way to tell what varietal these buds are.

Winemakers, Johnston Moore & Andrew Smuts, check things out

Read Your Way to a Food and Wine Destination

Huffington Post recently wrote an article on books that take you to a food and/or wine destination. Of the books they reviewed, "American Wine" by Jancis Robinson was one. Not only does she talk about the overall growing wine industry in America but focuses on Virginia as well. Rachel Martin and John Kent Cooke were featured in Huffington Post's article since Jancis Robinson has raved about Virginia wine and in particular, Boxwood!

Read the full article here.