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All our wines are born in June, because the first step in winemaking is the proper pruning of the grape vine. It is also a major tool in controlling wine quality. |
Petrus de Crescentijs:
Opus Ruralium Commodorum, ca 1495 ![]() |
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Jackie Winter![]() |
Pruning is done during winter, when vines are dormant. All premium vineyards are hand-pruned, and each vine is pruned individually, according to its variety, its vigour and the wine style we want to produce next year. |
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Depending on variety and location different pruning and training systems have to be used to give the best result | ![]() |
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Each vine requires around 40 - 60 very precise cuts. |
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The vines may be dormant, but there is still life about. An Echidna searching for grubs and worms keeps us company, but will soon disappear to reemerge in spring. | ||
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^ Grey Shrike Thrush is hunting specifically for them. |
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This Bird dropping spider (Calaenia excavata) has attached her egg case to a trellis wire and is guarding it. She will release the spiderlings from the cocoon when they are old enough to hatch. |
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Hares come in pairs this month, and are fat in their woolly winter coat. | ![]() |
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My happy chickens: Croad Langshans are a rare breed. |
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Endless walls of unpruned wines.... while it is getting colder and colder work progresses vine by vine. | ![]() |
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One of the many challenges is that growth and yield also depend on the weather conditions during the coming growing season. Is it going to be wet or dry? Cool or hot? Windy during flowering? Raining at vintage? Early frost? | |
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The pruned out canes have to be pulled out from the trellis and either mulched or, preferably removed from the vineyard to prevent disease carry-over. | ![]() |
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© Sarsfield Estate | ![]() |