2022: A Year in Photos
At the estate, we think about time in cycles. A season will always reach its natural conclusion. Endings segue into new beginnings. Harnessing energy, releasing energy: these moments are how we measure time.
Biodynamic farming respects these cycles of nature and has been fundamental to Quintessa since the beginning. Our founding philosophy introduced principles that consider the vineyard holistically. From plants to animals to soil to air, every element nurtures the others, and together, all form one living organism. It is an ever evolving ecosystem, and we farm according to its changes and needs.
To complement nature’s timeline, we are mindful of the biodynamic calendar. From pruning to planting to harvest, it directs us to take action at the ideal moment. With biodynamics, we also tap into our biggest natural resource: our people. We collaborate to make all nine of the biodynamic preparations used throughout a growing cycle. Working together, we turn our efforts toward the fertility of the land. While the preparations provide their own nourishment, we infuse the soil and the vines with our collective energy.
A vineyard requires an intense amount of work, and in return, reveals its true and pure character. Progress can seem infinitesimal — until it becomes apparent, all at once. In 2022, we resolved to capture a year at the estate through a series of photos. We are honored to share with you what we see every day. There is beauty at every turn. It can be simultaneously subtle and breathtaking. Or it can be as vast as the horizon. We invite you to journey through a year in the life of this estate with a biodynamic lens.
Winter Solstice
A new growing season is both a moment for reflection and for looking ahead. As colder weather sets in, vines rest. It is a time to repair and recharge. They replenish their reserves in the coldest months, in the period known as dormancy. Like a roadmap, we help them direct energy for the coming year through pruning. By removing canes and old wood, our skilled team guides the plants so as to concentrate their efforts during the growing season. When hints of spring become more steadfast, these vines wake from their slumber and we see the first signs of budbreak.
Spring Equinox
As the weather warms, the vineyard becomes a hive of activity. Insects and birds return, their low hum providing a background soundtrack for key moments of biodynamic farming. Soft breezes gently shake the land awake, and new plants and grasses emerge from the earth. At this stage, we focus on the vineyard’s fertility; the plants must be properly nourished to bring forth new life. Healthy soils anchor the vines and filaments of roots spread underground in search of nutrients. Warmer weather coaxes out the first shoots from the vine. Long and thin tendrils reach for the sun. Shortly after, small buds of flowers dot the tender stalks.
Summer Solstice
The Summer Equinox brings the longest day of the year and marks a turning point on the estate. Time accelerates. New colors and patterns appear with each pass through the vines. Veraison signals the final stage of ripening, as the grapes begin accumulating sugar and the skins show their colors. At this moment, the vines shift their focus from canopy growth to fruit ripening.
The vineyard revels in the sun-drenched season. From one corner of the property to the next, we carefully manage the canopy. Different orientations and altitudes require different shade patterns. The undulating hills that define Quintessa necessitate a balance between providing sunlight and protecting from heat. In this way, we carefully nudge the grapes toward full and balanced ripeness. Before long, it will be time to harvest.
Fall Equinox
After harvest, the vineyard takes on different tones. Foliage turns into warm shades of gold, ochre, and amber. Buttery sunlight filters through the late afternoon. Before the vineyard fully rests, it continues to draw in the soil’s nutrients in anticipation of a long slumber. We walk the estate and assess the health of each vine. Post-harvest reflection marks a key moment: which philosophies do we continue to embrace? Which are we ready to let go of? Having offered us the fruit of yet another vintage, there is no further work for the vines to do. They are ready to communicate with us — and we listen.
As the vineyard slows down, attention turns to the cellar. Our winemaking team ferments the newly picked grapes and moves them through the different stages of vinification. After a few years of aging, a new vintage of Quintessa will be ready to share with the world.
