Cluster Count - 2017

It is still a reasonable task for us to count the number of clusters of Chenin Blanc that we have currently hanging in the vineyard. This count allows us to plan for the type of fermentation vessel we need to consider and how we will end up crushing the harvest. In 2015, we recorded for our harvest that our 153 fruit bearing Chenin Blanc gave us 360 clusters of grapes. It was exciting for us, but very paltry. Nonetheless, it was a beginning.
Last year, we harvested 2.2 times as many clusters, with a total of approximately 800 clusters. I hadn't documented the rows and cluster information on my blog so I looked back at my little notebook to get the 2016 and 2017 count shown below.

The count of clusters along with an average weight of 4 ounces per cluster is what we are using to provide us with some approximation of the weight and resultant volume we will get for the Chenin Blanc. This year, we will have a fair amount of Auxerrois and Chardonnay, perhaps enough to make 5 gallons of juice. It is still far from veraison, so fingers crossed!