There’s an electricity in the air in early Spring when the vineyards awaken from dormancy.  Wild shades of vibrant green shoots emerge from the bare vines and stretch upward to the sun. Tendrils wrap around the staked guide wires and prepare for flowering.

Grape flowers are called the perfect flowers, as they self-pollinate, without the need for bees.  A few days after flowering occurs, fruit set takes place.  Fruit set is the actual formation of the grape seeds, which grow rapidly, forming mature grapes over the next 100 days.

Pruning and canopy management, is essential. Leaves or grape clusters are often removed during the growing season to allow for ventilation and for even ripening.   Some vineyard managers will thin or drop excess grape clusters in order to concentrate the juices.   [Read more…]