Poplar Grove’s 30th Vintage
Our 30th vintage at Poplar Grove has been off to a great start.
After a farmer-friendly winter, spring followed suit. March and April were warm in the valley, leading to an early budburst. Depending on varietal and vineyard, we were 7–10 days ahead of our typical budbreak. Our Chardonnay blocks always push first, followed by our other varietals, with Pinot Gris coming in last. We lost 6% of our vineyards in the 2024 deep freeze, but the surviving vines are now thriving.
The nights stayed above freezing, so there was no stress from an early frost hitting the vineyards.
Early May was warm, followed by a slight cooldown in mid-May. The vines made it clear they were eager to produce for the 2025 vintage. Many shoots across all varietals were showing three clusters of grapes. We also noticed our apricot and peach trees were heavily loaded with fruit that required thinning.
We began replanting the lost vineyards at the end of May, and the weather was perfect for establishing young vines. Rather than simply replanting the same varietals, we used this opportunity to make strategic changes. In many blocks, we remained with grafted vines but opted for more cold-hardy varietals. For example, two small Syrah blocks in Osoyoos were converted to Merlot, while a Merlot block in Penticton was replaced with Pinot Gris. In our Hudson Pinot Noir vineyard, we planted self-rooted vines on a flatter area of the site.
June has been excellent so far. Early June was warm and dry, and the vines grew at an impressive pace. Fruit set has been strong across all varietals, with grapes in our Osoyoos vineyards already reaching the size of large peas. We reached full canopy in the trellis a full seven days earlier than usual, and hedging with the tractor will begin soon. Our crews are busy tucking shoots and starting leaf removal.
Over the past week, stormy weather and increased precipitation have made powdery mildew a concern, so we’ve been proactive with vineyard management to stay ahead of any risk brought on by the humidity.
As we head into summer, there’s a renewed sense of excitement in the vineyards. Our 30th vintage is shaping up to be one to remember: vibrant, abundant, and full of potential. After navigating the challenges of last year, we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come and deeply grateful for the resilience of our vines and our team.
