VINES throughout the SEASONs

Vegetative and winter cycles

Vines grow following two distinct cycles each year: the vegetative cycle (from March to mid-November) and the winter cycle (from mid-November to March, also called dormant stage or dormancy). The length of each cycle varies depending on the grape variety, the terroir and the overall management of the vineyard.

Bleeding of the vines

As grapevines were pruned during the winter months, sap flows up and runs from cuts when the spring comes. These sap ascents, this so-called bleeding (also weeping), signal the beginning of the root system's activity. The vines begin to awaken.

Bud break and leafing (bud burst/blooming & foliation)

Buds appear an eventually split under the sap's pressure at bud burst, opening up to reveal new shoots. At the end of spring, foliation occurs with leaves appearing, unfurling and spreading

Flowering and setting

Sun and heat induce flowering in early summer. Small white flowers appear in clusters, each carrying between 100 and 200 flowers. By the beginning of June, the setting of the grapes takes place. Grapes start to form in the pollinated flowers and small berries appear.

Thinning out of leaves and veraison

During the summer, the winegrowers perform leaf thinning, removing vine leaves hiding grapes from the sun to allow the berries to develop better. The veraison is when the grape berries begin to change colour (in general around August).

Maturation

During this stage, the grapes continue to ripen and grow. As they ripen, they lose acidity, and their sugar content increases. Winegrowers can perform green harvests by pruning some bunches allowing the grapevine to fully focus on ripening the remaining ones.

Harvest

Grapes are picked once they have reached full maturity (by hand or by mechanical means).

The harvest generally takes place between September and October, depending on the readiness of the grapes.

Dormancy

Following harvesting, the foliage turns yellow and progressively sheds. The vines enter their dormancy period. The winegrowers prune any dead wood around January/February. They tie canes to wires to prepare for the appearance of future grapes and provide them with greater sun exposure.

The vines will awaken in the spring…