We are experiencing a glorious spring on the eastern side of Norfolk County. Where to start? Well the cold weather seemed to delay things, so we are still enjoying the singing of spring peepers and chorus frogs in the valley. There are lots of tree frogs who will be with us into summer.
The birdz? We have 2-3 pairs of barn swallows looking to nest around the winery. I had a quick glimpse of a Baltimore Oriole yesterday, and a bobolink on Thursday. Goldfinches are back. We are awash in red-winged blackbirds, morning doves, robins and grackles. The ALUS wetlands have a steady crop of visiting ducks and geese, and the barn swallows love to take bugs off the water surface. We have lots of black cherry trees in flower. The really big news is that we have a pair of Northern Harriers who are apparently nesting on the ground. They only show themselves briefly, as they seem to want to stretch their muscles in a flying workout, and harsh the buzz of the red-winged blackbirds. Yes there are wild turkeys and lots of deer. Visitors are welcome to walk the property, staying away from our harrier nest.

Yes there is grape news. Our hybrid grapes are budding out. After our tough winter, we are hoping to have a few vinifera grapes and are waiting for them to show bud swell before pruning. The great Marquette wine at the nearby Bonnie Heath Winery has encouraged us to bring out Marquette vines into production. We are excited to be supplying Saucy Cider to the Lighthouse Theatre, and to have sponsored “Young Frankenstein” which showcased our great local talent. The sad news is we have to wait until next March to have pancakes & maple syrup at Chambers Pancake House just up Villa Nova Road, but you can buy the new syrup at their retail.