Originally from the February 2021 Newsletter
Hopefully, you're staying warm and dry on these cold, rainy (or snowy) days. We may be cozy inside with a glass of wine and a blanket but the vines soldier on, exposed to the elements. They may not look it at this time of the year but the vines are very much alive and well, waiting for their time to spring back into action.
How do grapevines survive the cold, dark winter?
Once the vines have ripened their crop in the fall, they begin storing energy to utilize throughout their dormancy. After a sufficient amount has been stockpiled, their leaves begin to yellow and drop. The vines also dehydrate much of their tissue as a safeguard against cell damage in freezing temperatures.
What are they up to while dormant?
Vineyards display very little activity throughout the winter months. There can still be root growth taking place, provided that the soil is not too cold or frozen. While the vines sleep, the activity is left to us humans. Besides sipping hot cocoa and binging netflix, it's important that we prune away the vast majority of the previous year's growth to ensure the appropriate ratio of fruit to canopy can grow in the upcoming season.
How do they know when to come back?
Once the vines sense that the air and soil temperatures have risen, sap is created and pushed through the vine, waking it up. Not long after, the vine's buds will swell and burst, giving way to new shoots. This is why late frosts can be so devastating to grapevines; tender young shoots are not cold hardy and a hard frost can heavily affect harvests before the growing season truly even begins.
Stay cozy my friends,
Colin Duddy
General Manager