2021 Winter Report
For those of you that live in the Northern hemisphere, you’re probably trying to stay cool right now with a bottle of crisp white wine or chilled bubbly. But in the Southern hemisphere, winter is well underway.
Perhaps you’re thinking it must be pretty quiet right now at Tamarelli Vineyards, but I can assure you that the only thing at rest is our last harvest wine. Wintertime plays a crucial role in determining the success of a new vintage. It’s when we lay down the groundwork for new growth in the spring.
So just what happens in the vineyard during winter? Let's take a look.
From May through September, the vines are resting and getting ready to grow new branches. During this time, training stakes guide the plant to grow along the wire of the trellis. While there isn’t much growth happening above ground, the vines are hard at work beneath the surface. To stay strong throughout the winter, the root system soaks up nutrients in the soil, preparing the vines for new growth in the spring.
From June through August, the vines undergo pre-pruning. This process consists of using blades that leave 30cm-long branches that will eventually be pruned down to two buds. Pruning occurs from June through September when the plant is dormant. Winter pruning is one of the most critical steps in vine management. It dictates how many buds will emerge come spring and ultimately, how many leaves and grape bunches the vine will produce.
So even though the vineyard looks sleepy right now, just remember the vines are hard at work getting ready for a new growing cycle. With spring on the horizon, we look forward to warmer days and another fantastic vintage.