Spring followed a very dry winter with some scattered showers and warm weather. As always, we were embedded in nature and followed and adapted to the many changes that occurred from early bud break to a spring freeze to watching the resiliency of the vines as they put forth new growth (but very limited fruit.) Sharing Condor’s Hope with family and community was as important as ever, as everyone pitched in. We culminated with our annual Memorial Weekend Work Party. Thanks to everyone for being part of Condor’s Hope. Please enjoy the photos and stories below.
Wildflowers ushered in spring at Condor’s Hope. 
Green came from the scattered spring showers. 
Niece Kate and Nephew Zach were here to prune the olive trees. 
Alice, our first UCSB Intern, arrived with spring as well. 
And the grapevines pushed out their buds earlier than usual. 
Early April showed good growth. 
Shiraz and Pedro had strong vines developing by April 10th. 
In the pre-dawn of April 12 a freeze hit. 
The green growth 
withered 
and died 
impacting the whole vineyard. 
Ten days later the vines were starting to show new growth. 
By the Memorial Weekend Work Party, 
the vines had recovered. 
And were ready for many hands with tools. 
The vineyard was weeded. 
Vines were desuckered. 
New vines planted. 
Rock walls were built. 
Kids played. 
Folks rested. 
And climbed to take in the views. 
Families enjoyed. 
We all feasted 
from dutch oven slow cooking 
and wine sipping. 
Meanwhile olives flowered 
and produced small fruit 
that grew as the days passed into summer. 
Grapes flowered 
and formed grape bunches 
Photo © Bonnie Barrett 2022 
and ripening in the sun. 
Recovery and 
hope for tomorrow.
