Dana Lesko, an intern from Winthrop, defoliates grapevines Wednesday at WillowsAwake Winery in Leeds. Removing some of the leaves at various stages of growth helps control yield and improve the quality of the fruit.
WillowsAwake Winery owner Tony Lyons and manager and winemaker Lindsay Benson talk Wednesday afternoon about the art of growing grapes in the vineyard in Leeds.
Dana Lesko, an intern from Winthrop, prunes grapevines Wednesday at WillowsAwake Winery in Leeds. Removing some of the leaves and shoots at various stages of growth helps control yield and improve the quality of the fruit.
WillowsAwake Winery owner Tony Lyons talks Wednesday afternoon about the art of growing grapes in the vineyard he and his wife own in Leeds.
Frontenac Gris grapes grow Wednesday at WillowsAwake Winery in Leeds. The buds will begin to flower and bear fruit in the next few weeks, a critical time for the winery.
Frontenac Gris calyptra grow Wednesday at WillowsAwake Winery in Leeds. The hybrid grapes were developed to withstand the cold winters in northern climates such as Maine.
Itasca calyptra grapes grow Wednesday at WillowsAwake Winery in Leeds. The calyptra, a cap of petals, exposes both the stamen and pistil. Fertilization occurs when male pollen from the stamen adheres to the sticky surface of the pistil, which is called the stigma. The hood-like structures flower and eventually fall off and grapes will begin to grow.
WillowsAwake Winery in Leeds is seen Wednesday, bordered by Leeds Junction Road, bottom, and Route 202 and Springbrook Golf Club, top left.
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