Joe the Winemaker – The Official Blog of Oregon Winemaker Joe Dobbes

 This heat spell we’re having this week might set record high temperatures, just as this spring set record low temperatures, and everything is great in the vineyard. One the clouds parted two weeks ago, the vines who heretofore been thin and lacking in vigor exploded in growth. A few days ago, the flowers started unfurling and the period known as fruit-set began during perfect climactic conditions for a vintage year.

We’re working around the heat, trying to keep up with the rapid growth of the vines before the heat of the afternoon weighs too heavily. Starting at 5:00 and ending at 2:00, we avoid the worst part of the day and work as quickly as we can in the cool morning air.

This sudden spike in temperatures couldn’t have been more perfect after a dismal, dreary sort of spring. Crisis seemed to lurk, but whoever’s in charge must have listened to the prayers of every vineyard worker in Oregon. The vineyard looks great and everything so far makes 2010 look like a great vintage.

Safety is very important around here. Our Safety Committee meets monthly and the Chairperson presents the meeting minutes and action items to the rest of us at our All Staff meetings. The company hosted a CPR training class a few months back and this month, staff members attended a fire extinguisher class. Now our employees not only know where each of our extinguishers is located, they also know the steps to take in case of a fire and how to properly use the extinguisher to put a fire out. Here are a few pictures of our Wine By Joe fire fighters in training.

“The LIVE certification is centered around three core principals — asking whether practices are good for the environment, good for business and good for the community. If a winery can’t meet or exceed these goals, they won’t be certified.” – Statesman Journal

Hello Everyone,

My name is Tom Dodson and I’m Joe’s Production Manger. I just wanted to bring everyone up to date on what’s keeping us busy other than making great wines for our customers. We’re going GREEN! Our facility has just been certified LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology). This is certification that proves that our practices in the field and in the wine-making process are in line with sustainability efforts.

Over the last year the team and I have been preparing our facility for a LIVE certification audit. This refers to the practice of limiting the amount of raw materials (inputs such as pesticides, fertilizer, water, chemicals, fuel, etc.) used in vineyard and winery production. It starts with preparation and then an inspection. If all the standards are met you become certified by LIVE. Sounds easy right; not so fast, LIVE will continue to work with and drive wineries and vineyards to continually reduce the impact our industry has on the environment. Reduction, reduction, reduction. A noble prize: superior wines produced in a sustainable continuously improving industry.

What does this mean to you the consumer? This will ensure you that the wines purchased from Joe are produced using a world class winemaking process (yes, Joe’s Midas touch) but also in a certified facility that is focusing on waste reduction, environmental safety and energy conservation. In addition, let’s not forget that Joe’s facility is also a custom winemaking site. If your fruit source or vineyards are LIVE certified having your wines made here will meet the OWB criteria.

We are ecstatic to be participating in such a forward thinking program. I will be updating everyone on our progress. Please feel free to write me with questions or comment: tom@winebyjoe.com

Thanks and talk to you soon,

Tom

Special Harvest 2008 Edition: Broadcasting Live from Dundee, Oregon inside Joe’s winery and warehouse at Wine by Joe/Dobbes Family Estate. 

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