After the dormant phase of the cold winter months, a new life cycle begins for the plants. The awakening of nature in fields, vegetable gardens and orchards also involves the vines, which require specific operations from us winegrowers. Our work will keep the vines in good health to achieve a year of abundant harvests and quality grapes.
The gentle awakening of the vines: the beginning of a new season
It is generally in March that the vineyard slowly begins to awaken, when temperatures start to rise very gradually. Reaching 10°C allows the vines to awaken gently. The arrival of spring and its mild climate is a crucial time for work between the rows, following the winter work completed with dry pruning. Now that the plants are emerging from their resting phase, their thick, transparent sap begins to flow from the scars left by the cutting of the branches; this is the natural phenomenon known as vine bleeding.
The liquid comes from the roots of the plant, which have become active again and, on awakening, circulate a sap rich in sugars, minerals and hormones needed for the development of the young parts of the vine. With the resumption of the vegetative cycle, new shoots will form on the canes, and after about a month the inflorescences will appear. The awakening of nature in spring will be followed by the formation of clusters of precious small flowers, although not conventionally beautiful. Each one is a potential grape berry.
Tying the plants
At the time of nature’s awakening, the entire vineyard structure must have been checked to ensure that no replacement of wires, posts, tensioners or any other part of the system is required. The structure is also cleared of any residue from the previous pruning, so that we can work on it easily. Every weak or damaged piece is replaced with a new one, so that the vines can grow without the risk of structural failures.
We then proceed with tying the canes, which are still relatively flexible and are gently guided along the wires, in a position that makes the best use of sunlight and without constrictions that could block the circulation of sap. If necessary, the canes will be trimmed and some shoots removed. The winegrower knows that it is better to sacrifice quantity of the grapes produced in favour of quality, and is committed to safeguarding the health and structure of the plant itself.
In general, at the time of nature’s awakening, planning and maintenance projects in the vineyard are carried out. Here at Azienda Agricola Edoardo Patrone, this is done without overusing chemical products, without the use of pesticides and herbicides, and by nourishing the vines with natural fertilisers.
The joys and dangers of awakening nature
However, the awakening of nature also presents dangers for the vineyard. In particular, unexpected frosts, with which March may surprise winegrowers when the vines have already “wept”.
Even rain and strong wind risk causing damage, knocking off flowers or hindering pollination.
Unfortunately, the number of out-of-season extreme events has been increasing in recent years due to climate change, making the winegrower’s profession more difficult. However, in the vine’s annual cycle, March is the month in which the future of the season is largely decided, and the vineyard’s awakening is welcomed with joy and optimism. The first steps are taken towards a plentiful and fine harvest.
The risk of late frosts
One of the greatest dangers of the spring awakening in the vineyard is posed by late frosts: if temperatures fall below zero after budburst, the young shoots, which are particularly sensitive, can suffer irreversible damage. For this reason, many mountain winegrowers, such as those in the Val d’Ossola, carefully monitor forecasts in the weeks following the vine’s awakening, ready to intervene with active protection techniques on the nights at greatest risk.
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The vine cycle continues with: vine budburst, vine flowering, vine fruit set.
