Vineyard Diary
January
By mid Summer the grapes are pea sized but still hard and green. from these the crop size is estimated and some grapes and leaves are removed. This ensures that the fruit will get enough light and will ripen fully.
February
During February the grapes begin to soften and sweeten, the Pinot Noir grapes develop their purple colouring. This attracts birds which damage the grapes so protective nets are put over the vines and the birds are scared away.
March
The harvest begins in March. The Chardonnay that will be made into the Blanc de Blancs is picked first.
April
By the end of April all of the grapes have been harvested and sent to the winery. The vines are beginning to prepare for their Winter dormancy, the leaves turn Autumn colours.
May
The leaves fall off as the vines become dormant for the Winter.
June
Pruning begins once all the leaves are gone. This is a big job and will take several months to complete.
July
Pruning continues. Canes are carefully selected to carry next seasons fruit.
August
Pruning is completed in early August, then all the moveable wires are dropped to the ground, ready for next seasons growth.
September
The buds begin to grow and in some varieties the first leaves appear. Damage from last year is repaired and maintenance work is carried out all over the vineyard to prepare for the Spring growth.
October
The first shoots begin to grow, these are easily damaged by cold weather or strong winds. Excess shoots are removed from low on the trunks of the vines and from congested areas. This increases the flow of air through the vineyard. In the last week of October buckwheat seeds are planted.
November
The wires are lifted up to ensure that the vines grow up straight and narrow. The vines grow a lot during November and begin to flower late in the month.
December
The flowers have all been pollinated by the wind by mid December. The wires are continually lifted as the vines become heavy. The tops and sides of the vines are trimmed to allow light and air through the canopy. The buckwheat begin to flower and feed the beneficial insects living in the vineyard.
