In the spring, we planted 3,555 Merlot vines that were one-year old bench grafts. At the same time, we planted 945 Cabernet Sauvignon vines. The Cabernet was a clone from Germany that was planted in the original vineyard at Inglenook. Both were planted on AXR-1 rootstock. Unfortunately for us, by the end of 1985 the wine industry discovered that AXR-1 rootstock was not phylloxera resistant.
A small workshop and storage shed was constructed to house our tools and for a place where we can get out of inclement weather when working in the vineyard. By summer we found out that our well was not adequate to irrigate the new vineyard; we needed water in a hurry or the young vines would die. We drilled a second, deeper well and it too was inadequate. A move to the opposite side of the vineyard resulted in a deep (300 feet) well that is prolific – just in time!