Vines Works
From December to March
It’s the time to prune, essential work in the life of the winegrower and for the life of the vine. Pruning allows to the grower to control the height and growth of the vine and to control the yield and quality of grapes produced. The vine shoots are cut back, the supporting stakes are checked and repaired and the wires where used are tightened and fastened.
The Alsace Arch. The vine is trained by bending two arms of the vine – the canes- to form an arch. The enables the buds to grow and for the vegetation, the flowers and the grapes to develop in balance and harmony. The buds are very fragile and there is always a risk of frost in the spring time.
The Alsace Arch. The vine is trained by bending two arms of the vine – the canes- to form an arch. The enables the buds to grow and for the vegetation, the flowers and the grapes to develop in balance and harmony. The buds are very fragile and there is always a risk of frost in the spring time.
April
We can begin the soil work with the plough, which allows the soil to breath and to control the wild plants and grasses. We put manure between the vines if necessary.
April is also the moment we start to prepare the soil for planting new vineyards and plant the young vines. This planting is done either manually or mechanically. We must wait 3 years before the first harvest.
April is also the moment we start to prepare the soil for planting new vineyards and plant the young vines. This planting is done either manually or mechanically. We must wait 3 years before the first harvest.
May
We removed the suckers and any unwanted plant growth from the vine trunks that might detract energy away from the fruiting canes. May is also when we have to start to spray the vineyards to protect the vines from the many diseases that can damage the shoots and leaves and therefore the yield of the plants.
June
It’s the delicate moment of the flowering which will determinate the potential yield of the harvest. Vegetative growth is now in full swing and we must train the vines and the foliage to maximize the exposure of the leaves to the sun. We do this by positioning the shoots and branches upwards and holding them between two pairs of wires to form a hedge.
July
In July the winegrowers will trim the leaves off the vines at the top and on the sides, which reduces leaf development and promotes grapes development.
We will also remove leaves manually around the individual bunches of grapes to allow air to circulate and for sun to penetrate the canopy. We take away these leaves away next to the grapes to help prevent diseases that can affect the bunches of grapes, and to promote ripening.
We will also remove leaves manually around the individual bunches of grapes to allow air to circulate and for sun to penetrate the canopy. We take away these leaves away next to the grapes to help prevent diseases that can affect the bunches of grapes, and to promote ripening.
August
As the vines grow the wood becomes stronger and more rigid, and the growth of the leaves stops.
During the next 45 days the grapes will start to take on their color and begin to ripen and increase in sugar.
During the next 45 days the grapes will start to take on their color and begin to ripen and increase in sugar.
September – October
The first dates allowed for harvesting is strictly regulated by local laws governing wine production.
The grapes must be at full maturity, which is when we have the best balance between sugar and acidity.
The Harvest first begins with those grapes we are going to use to make the AOC Cremant sparkling wines, then AOC Alsace and finally AOC Alsace Grand Cru.
If the weather remains mild through to the middle of October we can start to harvest the grapes for late harvest and selection de grains nobles.The harvest is made by entirely by hand in Alsace so many people are needed to help pick the grapes. Once the grapes are picked they are transported immediately and directly to the cellar to be made into wine.
By November the vine work and the vegetative cycle are finished and it is time to start the cycle all over again. Throughout the year the growers must attend his vines in order to maintain the health of the soil, and maintain the stable relationship between the vine and the other plants, flowers and grasses which grow there.
The grapes must be at full maturity, which is when we have the best balance between sugar and acidity.
The Harvest first begins with those grapes we are going to use to make the AOC Cremant sparkling wines, then AOC Alsace and finally AOC Alsace Grand Cru.
If the weather remains mild through to the middle of October we can start to harvest the grapes for late harvest and selection de grains nobles.The harvest is made by entirely by hand in Alsace so many people are needed to help pick the grapes. Once the grapes are picked they are transported immediately and directly to the cellar to be made into wine.
By November the vine work and the vegetative cycle are finished and it is time to start the cycle all over again. Throughout the year the growers must attend his vines in order to maintain the health of the soil, and maintain the stable relationship between the vine and the other plants, flowers and grasses which grow there.
