09 Apr What Happens In The Vineyard In Spring
As vines begin to green and the buds begin to grow, the vineyards begin to come alive in spring. No irrigation is required, no harvesting to be done, and the composting is finished. So what is there to do for winemakers during this time of year?
Spring is the season when workers are really putting in their all. This is the time that will depend on the success of the vineyard. Pruning the shoots, also called shoot-thinning or suckering occurs to shape the vine and fix any pruning errors. The timing of this is critical because if you do it too early you may have to do it again.
If it is too cold or too hot, too much rain or too much wind, buds can shatter can wreck a good harvest so the timing of budbreaking is also critical. If the budbreak is late then a late harvest will be the result meaning grapes will be susceptible to heat spikes.
Leaf pulling is another time-consuming task that must be done. Depending on the climate more leaves may be left for shade if the vineyard is in a particularly hot area. Topping is the last task when longer shoots are cut back making everything uniform. This helps with vine growth and harvest as well as the general appearance of the whole vineyard.
Spring is a time of regeneration and although a lot of work is needed to be put in in the springtime, it is still a great time of year for them. Starting fresh and getting ready for the next season is always a large chore but one that pays off year after year. Next time you pick up a bottle of wine check out more info on the vineyard it comes from. You might be surprised at the things you’ll learn.
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