Since early fall, winegrowers of the Cucamonga Valley have been busy pruning vineyards and cultivating the new wood of future crops.

On a recent spring Friday morning at the Route 66 Trailhead, beside Foothill Blvd. and just east of Baker Avenue in Bear Gulch, I examined the beautiful blooming Mission vines at the educational vineyard planted by the City of Rancho Cucamonga about eight years ago.

Domenic Galleano of Galleano Winery explained the ongoing work.

“We are still pruning,” said the fourth-generation vintner. “Varieties include Zinfandel, Grenache, Mission, Palomino, Alicante Bouschet, Rose of Peru and Salvador.

How is the work going, and the prospects for the future? “Everything is looking great,” he said. “We had a March 5 bud break on most of the reds, and March 10 on our Palomino vines.

“Typically, it takes a full cycle to see benefits from good weather conditions. Considering the rainfall we experienced last year, coupled with recent storms, I think we are in line to have a great harvest.”

Enjoy a glass of wine tonight – and years ahead.

Gino L. Filippi is a fourth-generation Cucamonga Valley vintner. Send wine comments and questions to Ginoffvine@aol.com.