In spring, there's a lot of work in the vineyard. This is especially true in Cappadocia where we do not work at all in winter because of cold and snow.
To protect the vines from winter frost, they are formed into a mound in autumn. In fact, the plants are covered with soil up to the graft point.
The weather has now warmed and the vegetation starts to grow. We must remove the mounds to prevent the grafts to free themselves from their rootstocks by doing their own roots. Otherwise it would become susceptible to phylloxera.
We start with a machine and end up with picks. This allows to liberate the graft and to operate a first weeding on the rows.
Removing the mounds
Liberating the graft point and weeding in the raw
The inter-row, meanwhile, remains covered. We do not sow, it is a spontaneous weed. So there are many plant species that coexist. It is a way of preserving the environment by promoting biodiversity. The microbial life in the soil is even better and this promotes the soil aeration and a good rooting of the vine.
This natural weed is maintained as long as it does not exercise a too strong competition with the vine.
Natural weed between the rows
The Chardonnay is an early budding variety. In our vineyards buds are currently breaking. The winter buds have grown and the first green tips are appearing.
Late budding Cabernet Sauvignon vine is at the stage of “crying”. The sap rise in spring provokes the apparition of these “tears” that drop from the pruned branches (see picture below).
Cabernet Sauvingnon vine "crying"
No comments:
Post a Comment