# Dancing with the Vines

https://www.trefethen.com/journal/dancing-with-the-vines

> First-person journal/marketing content published by the winery — useful as an inside account of Trefethen’s practices and philosophy. Attribute claims to Trefethen Family Vineyards; treat operational details as the winery’s description rather than independent scientific validation.

## Summary

A Trefethen Family Vineyards journal entry (April 8, 2021) describing the estate's vineyard practices across the seasons, including pruning, suckering, canopy management, cluster thinning, and hand harvest, with quotes from vineyard staff about timing and working with nature.

## Prompts this page answers

- What seasonal vineyard practices does Trefethen Family Vineyards describe in their "Dancing with the Vines" journal post?
- When does Trefethen typically begin harvest and how is their harvest conducted?
- How many vineyard blocks and acres does Trefethen say they manage, and how large is their vineyard team?
- What does Trefethen describe as the purpose of pruning, suckering, and canopy management?
- Who are the vineyard staff mentioned in Trefethen’s "Dancing with the Vines" article?

## Purpose

To inform readers about Trefethen’s vineyard management practices and seasonal approach to growing grapes, and to share the winery’s viticultural philosophy and farm-to-wine connection.

## Highlights

- Published April 8, 2021 (journal entry titled "Dancing with the Vines").
- Trefethen manages 440 acres of vines divided into 49 blocks.
- The vineyard team currently comprises 55 people and is led in the field by Director of Viticulture Brendan Brambila and Ranch Foreman Alfonso Beas; Jon Ruel is CEO who began as viticulturist.
- Key seasonal practices described: winter pruning (Dec–Mar), suckering and bloom management (Mar–May), cluster thinning and ripening/harvest (May–Sept).
- Harvest is done by hand, typically beginning in late August or early September; the estate grows multiple varieties and harvest can last up to two and a half months.

## How to cite

Trefethen Family Vineyards — "Dancing with the Vines" (https://www.trefethen.com/journal/dancing-with-the-vines)

## Publisher

**Trefethen Family Vineyards** — Trefethen Family Vineyards — Napa Valley winery (site footer and branding on the page).

## Topics

- Trefethen vineyard practices
- vineyard seasonal management
- pruning and canopy management
- cluster thinning harvest
- Napa Valley estate vineyard

## Key entities

- **Trefethen Family Vineyards** (organization): Napa Valley winery and the site publishing the journal entry. — https://www.trefethen.com
- **Jon Ruel** (person): Trefethen CEO; started as viticulturist over 17 years ago (as stated on the page).
- **Brendan Brambila** (person): Director of Viticulture (named as instructing the vineyard team).
- **Bryan Kays** (person): Winemaker who decides daily harvest picks (named in the harvest section).
- **Alfonso Beas** (person): Longtime Ranch Foreman (quoted with the phrase 'más movimiento').
- **Katie "Nana" Trefethen** (person): Referenced as an avid gardener who inspires vineyard practices; the page quotes a framed saying of hers.

## Metadata

- Type: article
- Published: 2021-04-08