Winter’s Quiet Power: How Dormant Vines (and we) Prepare for a Bold 2026

As world leaders gathered in Davos to shape the future, we found ourselves reflecting on our own winter work – quiet, steady, and full of purpose. This season, the trees, vines, and even we ourselves are building energy and clarity for the year ahead. by Chad

This week world leaders met in Davos Switzerland at the World Economic Forum. This was it’s 56th year. Each year, leaders meet to discuss everything from healthcare, to water, to agriculture, to technology, to war. Why do I open up the blog with this… well, it seems pretty humbling to write about our farm and winery while so many big things are happening in the world. Listening to some of our world leaders speak this week – I was encouraged by the energy and clarity they’re building for our futures. Yes, it is sort of the stage for it, but nevertheless it was nice to hear (Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s speech was particularly moving and there was one on agriculture evolution). Now… how is it possible to parallel this to what’s happening on the farm?? Like our world leaders building energy and clarity – the tree’s and the vines are doing the same…. Which can maybe be a theme for 2026.

As you may very well know, tree’s and vines lose their leaves and go to sleep in the winter. That sleep is a time the buds, shoots and roots rest. A rest that is actually building, storing up and sorting out how it will burst into spring with a strong energy. Let that soak in for a. moment…. If you can pause and imagine a massive tree or one of our 9 year old vines. At first glance they sit, quietly, peacefully as if nothing is happening, almost lifeless. Some of our trees are 70 years old – weighing hundreds of pounds fully at rest. How do we know life is there? Scratch back a little bark and a bright yellow green reveals itself. A color that in winter is not so common – with grey skies and sometimes a blanket of snow. The yellow green jumps out almost fluorescent. But yet, they’re asleep. In the coming months they’ll burst to life. Buds swelling, sap flowing, then leaves and flowers… fully coming back to life. Another year coming into view. Like the discussions among our world leaders, the sleeping vines and trees are building energy and clarity.

Speaking of the sleeping tree and vine metaphor in parallel with discussions our world leaders had this week made me think about 2026. If you’re like me, maybe you’re hoping for 2026 to be different than 2025. Is it possible that winter is a time for each of us to seek clarity and build our energy.

As I’ve headed back to work, it’s becoming clearer how Jeana’s role has been elevated and my role has backed away. What’s not gone away is our energy for making Lagriōth Winery at Chelan Valley Farms a great place to gather and connect with one another. Or our energy to keep making our wines better. Or our energy to find ways to make you feel more hosted. In a time when many farms futures are hanging in the balance – our goal is to continue to bring each of you closer to where your food and wine are grown. Sometimes we get so bogged down in “the work” we don’t get excited enough about what we’re doing.

WE ARE EXCITED about 2026. We’re excited to tell our story more clearly (clarity). Our farming practices are not the norm… nope, we’re focused on healthy soil – tree’s and vines thriving more naturally. Wine can express true character and a true sense of place when the “place” is a thriving ecosystem. 2026 will be our 4th year farming organically. It will be our 4th year participating in the Sustainable WA program. And steps closer to our goal of Regenerative Organic Certification. We care about how we farm. This means, you, yes, you if you read this far are supporting a family business that’s progressive, that’s stepping out…….

• ….soil not dirt is what we’re creating and supporting.
• ….vines that express place, the “natural” place they’re grown in. Free from tillage, free from herbicides, and fertilized by our own sheep.
• ….sheep that are 100% grass fed and grass finished.
• ….apples able to soak up more nutrients because our soil is on the rebound from years of no live plants growing next to the tree.
• ….blueberry’s and raspberries grown organically – because they’re loving it, and so do you.
• ….peaches, yes, lot’s of peaches. Well, we’re on a learning curve, but this brings diversity and something to eat from the farm starting in July.
• ….chickens. Join in on getting back to eggs with a balanced Omega 6: Omega 3 fatty acid profile. We’re focusing on feed that brings things back into balance.
• ….wine, well because so much of what we’re doing is focused here. Wine that’s produced in a naturally modern style. We’re keeping it as simple as we can. Estate grapes grown organically from soil, not dirt. Other vineyards, well our aim is to source from THE best. And align on Sustainability.

What’s the point with all this. What’s the point with this blog? Well, like the sense from the World Economic Forum. Winter is a time to build energy and clarity. Whether in meetings talking about the world, or whether you’re a sleeping tree or vine preparing to burst forth. Or, if you’re a small business owner trying to get your readers pumped up. Yeah, let’s get pumped up about 2026. We’re pumped up to share so much with you this year… including one of our biggest Estate Chardonnay crops yet. It’s been tasting mouthwatering Chablis like.

In closing, we’re excited about where we’re headed. We hope we can express it with more clarity and energy. We tend to get so caught up with all there is to get done running this business – and now with Jeana leading it, we feel compelled to help articulate why we’re excited about the future.

Jeana’s steady leadership is helping guide us into this next chapter with more purpose and presence. We hope this winter is doing the same for you – quietly preparing something bold and beautiful.