Each season in wine country has its rhythm—and spring brings one of the most meaningful moments of the year: bud break.
Just a few weeks ago, after what seemed to be a long and unusually dry winter, the first rain arrived at Domaine Chardonnay. It soaked into our vineyard floor, revived our dormant cover crop, and painted the property in a fresh coat of green. But the moment we wait for most—the one that officially marks the beginning of a new vintage—arrived quietly and surprisingly at a quick pace one can almost witness happen right in front of you: tiny buds began to unfurl on our Chardonnay vines.
This is bud break, the start of the growing season. And for us, it’s more than just a milestone—it’s a reset, a renewal, and a promise of what’s to come.
What is Bud Break?
After the vines go dormant for winter, they sit in a deep sleep until just the right combination of soil temperature, sunshine, and moisture cues them to wake up. Bud break happens when the first small buds on the vine begin to swell, crack open, and reveal green shoots. These shoots will eventually form the leaves, tendrils, and grape clusters of the vintage to come.
It’s delicate, magical, and marks the first chapter in the story of the 2025 vintage.
Why It Matters at Domaine
Bud break is always a cause for celebration, but it’s especially meaningful at a small, hands-on estate like ours. With 1,200 of our mature Chardonnay vines nestled along a north-facing slope, every inch of canopy matters. We planted our newer Chardonnay blocks up front in a east-west direction, specifically to avoid direct afternoon sun, allowing for slower ripening, greater balance, and more expressive wines.
Our vineyard layout is intentional—and bud break gives us the first look at how the season may unfold.
From the shape and pace of the shoots, we begin to gauge the health of the vine and what this year’s fruit might look like. At this stage, it’s all about observation, patience, and gentle care.
What Happens Next
Once bud break begins, it’s all hands on deck. Mike and our vineyard team monitor the shoots, track growth patterns, and protect against sudden spring frosts and early onset mildew. This is a fragile time in the vineyard—new growth is sensitive, and the decisions we make now will echo all the way through harvest.
We’ll soon begin shoot thinning, training, and canopy management, all designed to keep the vines healthy and productive throughout the season.
But for now, we’re enjoying the calm before the real work begins—admiring those first pops of green, walking the rows in the early morning light, and thinking ahead to the wines we’ll someday make from these very buds.
Come See It for Yourself
Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit Domaine Chardonnay. The vines are just beginning to wake and glowing a bright lively green, the skies are peaceful with fluffy white clouds floating by on a rich blue canvas, and the estate is full of life as we prepare for our busy season in the winery and our guest suites. Whether you’re here to sip, stay, or simply slow down, we invite you to be part of the season with us.
Book your spring getaway today—and come witness the beginning of something beautiful.