06/20/2026
The list this season has been long for the vineyard! Our last new 5.7 acre planting is complete, bringing our total planted acres to 42.5. Finished adding about 180,000 feet of training wires for last years planting and the positioning and leaf thinning for the mature vines is finished.
Our new vineyard floor management is working pretty well. Our efforts for a cover crop year around and spreading 4 tons of organic compost per acre is improving our soils and vine health, which will improve our fruit quality.
Our new w**d control cultivator has already significantly reduced our need for herbicide. The organic herbicide we are now using is about 4 times more costly than the traditional chemicals, so the new machine is earning its keep.
Our vineyard crew is on the way home until harvest starts in late August, so the vineyard will be maintained by Manuel and myself until then.
Hope you enjoy our Keeling Schaefer, Coatimundi, Kokopelli and State Fortyeight wine brands. Featured at Total Wine, Safeway, Albertsons and many others. Coming soon to AJ’s Fine Foods.
Visit our historic downtown Willcox tasting room, open every day, 11-5. www.keelingschaefervineyards.com
