Proprietor’s Blog 3/23: The Wine Growing Cycle
We are in bud break! For anyone who isn’t familiar with viticulture, here’s a quick walk through the wine growing cycle we follow every year at the estate.
The growing season spans roughly six months, from March through September, with the remaining months devoted to dormancy and preparation. Vines receive regular watering and nutrients from early March through August.
Dormant Period
Starting in January in the Northern Hemisphere, the vines rest and recuperate, replenishing soil nutrients and water reserves for the season ahead.
Pruning
As temperatures rise, old vines are cut back to encourage stronger new growth and concentrate the vine’s nutrients, resulting in firmer vines capable of supporting more grapes.
Bud Break
Small buds form into stems, leaves, and flowers from late March through May.
Flowering
During May, delicate flowers emerge that will eventually become grapes. This stage requires careful sunlight management to prevent flower damage.
Fruit Set
Green grape bunches begin forming, surrounded by abundant foliage.
Veraison
Grapes transition from green to lighter green for white varieties, or purple for red varieties, in June and July.
Maturation
Sugar content testing happens August through October as water is withheld, allowing the grapes to accumulate maximum nutrients and sugars.
Harvest
The final stage, when the grapes are picked.
If you’d like to taste where this cycle leads, try our 2017 Syrah and 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, both grown right here on the estate.