Insight: Observe the Seasons

Photo taken by Erin Carroll-Beyak

As the new year begins, I encourage you to embrace a challenge. This year, pay attention to the changing seasons and allow them to guide your journey through the year. I am fortunate to live in Sonoma County, famous for its rich agricultural heritage. Currently, grapes dominate the landscape, and as you explore, you'll find vineyards at every turn. I have come to deeply appreciate these vines, not only for their yields but also for the insights they offer.

Watching the seasons' impact on agriculture provides valuable lessons. Let me walk you through a year on the vines to deepen our understanding of how the natural world can offer a guide for the human experience.

Winter

We start the year in winter. The grapevines are bare and dormant, with no grapes in sight. Although they may seem lifeless, much is occurring beneath the surface. The vines conserve energy and strengthen their root systems to prepare for the seasons to come. During this time, pruning begins, and moisture levels are carefully monitored to ensure proper hydration.

This season highlights the importance of retreat and mindful energy management. Engaging in meaningful indoor projects, focusing on your health, and avoiding excess can help you recharge during this time. You are preparing for what lies ahead.

Spring

Spring arrives, bringing continued rains along with increasing sunlight. These weather changes lead to the emergence of buds, the first step toward forming grape clusters on the vine. As this new growth is delicate, great care is taken in the fields to shield it from frost and other weather-related threats. The pruning that began in winter continues, guiding growth and encouraging further vegetative development.

Expressions like "spring cleaning,” “April showers bring May flowers,” and “In like a lion, out like a lamb” capture the essence of spring. This season signifies expressive transformation, where renewal comes with the shedding of the old. As the weather shifts, fresh ideas and a desire for change take root.

Summer

In summer, the vines are particularly active. This season brings the pollination of vine flowers, growth of grapes, and the onset of veraison, when grapes begin to change color. Photosynthesis occurs continuously during this time. However, excessive heat can hinder vine growth, emphasizing the need to carefully monitor conditions for potential hazards, as is true every season.

Embracing the vibrant energy of summer includes growth through activities, travel, independence, and exploration. Whether sharing a family barbecue or enjoying a summer trip, we can use this time to socialize, absorb new knowledge, and engage in community connections. We must also prioritize self-care, wear sunscreen, and pace ourselves during this bustling period.

Fall

Harvesting the grapes, which can begin in late Summer, is completed in the Fall. The grapes are picked and pressed to extract their glorious juices. Fermentation of the juice occurs as it starts its journey toward becoming wine. Making wine is always demanding, but the requirement during harvest is immense. This is a time of long hours and hard days.

We can recognize the Fall pattern of hard work when we consider people returning from Summer activities to get back to work in the Fall. It’s also interesting to reflect on the growth throughout the year, present in the new crop being harvested. All the efforts put into growth during the year come into play during this time. It is a time of reaping the bounty.

Happy New Year, and may your year echo the beauty and insight of the natural world.