Winter is a time of rest for vines. The plants send the sap to their roots, the areal part being dormant. This is the time for pruning whilst the impact on the plant is minimal.
Garnacha being a vigorous plant enjoys severe pruning to keep the fruit that will come in spring balanced. i.e: quality of grapes rather than quantity. So, severe pruning we did. In 2017 we pruned based on the "long cane" approach. The plant is severely pruned with the exception of one long cane. The plant´s vigor will fill the long cane with bunches of grapes. During veraison and green pruning we cut that long cane so that the plant concentrate all the phenolics and energy into the remaining bunches, i.e: maximum five-seven per plant.
Garnacha being a vigorous plant enjoys severe pruning to keep the fruit that will come in spring balanced. i.e: quality of grapes rather than quantity. So, severe pruning we did. In 2017 we pruned based on the "long cane" approach. The plant is severely pruned with the exception of one long cane. The plant´s vigor will fill the long cane with bunches of grapes. During veraison and green pruning we cut that long cane so that the plant concentrate all the phenolics and energy into the remaining bunches, i.e: maximum five-seven per plant.
Pruning can be a tedious and repetitive job. Yet it offers a deep insight into the health of the plants. i.e: how happy they are, what issues they might face, etc.
In the enclosed picture you can see the devastating effects of Phylloxera feeding on sap from the areal part of the vine from under the roots. The nematode weakens the plant until it eventually the plant dies. The quality of the bunches during the infestation is compromised as is the resulting wine.
It is rewarding to see the infection disappear over the years, a sign of time, money and sweat well spent.
In the enclosed picture you can see the devastating effects of Phylloxera feeding on sap from the areal part of the vine from under the roots. The nematode weakens the plant until it eventually the plant dies. The quality of the bunches during the infestation is compromised as is the resulting wine.
It is rewarding to see the infection disappear over the years, a sign of time, money and sweat well spent.
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