As the last remnants of winter frost melt away and the days grow longer, nature awakens from its slumber to welcome the anticipatory season of spring. Among the many wonders of this time of renewal is a grapevine's awe-inspiring journey, which brings me much joy to see. As I walk vineyards at the start of springtime and see the amazement of bud break and flowering, I am reminded of the many wonders of the world of wine, starting with what happens within the vineyard.
In this post, we'll discuss the various states along a vine's journey from bud break to harvest.
The Journey of a Vine from Bud Break to Harvest
Bud Break
Bud break marks the beginning of the grape vine's annual growth cycle. It is a pivotal moment when tiny buds on the vine's canes swell. This growth process, triggered by increasing temperatures and longer daylight hours, is a sight to behold as the vine transitions from winter dormancy to active growth.
Flowering
As the tiny buds grow, they eventually produce delicate green shoots, and these shoots, to me, symbolize new life for the vines. What's more, these shoots continue to grow and develop, forming lush canopies of leaves that provide vital shade for the ripening grapes.
Fruit Set
Unlike other flowers, grapevines possess both male and female reproductive parts and can self-pollinate. Through pollination, the flowers that bloom on the vine then lead to fruit set, and show up as small green berries filled with promise.
Veraison
As spring progresses into summer, the grapevine's journey reaches new heights of vitality and vigour. The tiny green berries that formed on the vine gradually grow in size and change colour, signalling the onset of veraison – the stage when the grapes begin to ripen and develop their unique flavours and aromas.
Harvest
Eventually, the grapevine's journey culminates in the harvest season, a time of celebration and abundance. Grapes are carefully handpicked or harvested by machine, depending on the vineyard's practices, and transformed into that bottle of wine on your wine rack.
Leaf Fall (Defoliation)
Leaf fall refers to the shedding of leaves from grapevines, typically occurring in autumn or fall.
As temperatures drop and daylight hours decrease, grapevines respond by initiating the process of leaf senescence, where chlorophyll production decreases, causing leaves to change color and eventually fall off.
Leaf fall is an essential step in the vine's preparation for dormancy (winter), allowing it to conserve energy and resources during its sleeping months.
Dormancy
Dormancy is a period of reduced metabolic activity in grapevines during the winter months.
It is triggered by environmental cues such as decreasing temperatures and shorter daylight hours.
Grapevines enter a state of rest during dormancy, where growth and development are temporarily halted.
Dormancy is crucial for the survival of grapevines during harsh winter conditions, helping them conserve energy and withstand freezing temperatures.
The journey of a grapevine from bud break to harvest is a testament to the resilience and beauty of nature, reminding us of the cyclical rhythms of life and development, and that's something to think about as you sip your next glass of wine. The grapevines harvested to make the very wine you are sipping share in a transformative and natural wonderous process that culminates in each bottle, encapsulating the essence of the vineyard's terroir and the dedication of those who nurture it.
Cheers to spring!