The Seasonal Cycle of the Vineyard

Manure sprays and weed removal continue. Ploughing begins to accelerate weed removal. The ploughing is done with a hand held cable plow or “treuil”, turning over the top level of the soil. A horse-powered plough is also used in areas that are less steep. As the earth is ploughed, winter cover crop is turned back into the soil, producing green manure. This is an example of cyclical farming that naturally returns nutrients to the soil. After ploughing is complete, spring cover crops are laid down. The spring cover crops serve serval purposes: they energize the soil, smother unwanted weeds that draw nutrients away from the vines, and attract beneficial insects. Given the steepness of the slopes farmed, the spring cover crops also assist with limiting erosion. At the end of April, manure sprays are complete. Additional sprays of silica, nettle, comfrey and other plant based extracts follow.

Weed removal with a pioche continues and there is some ploughing done with a treuil. Relevage begins. The purpose of relevage is to ensure that the vine’s growth is directed upwards. In addition, relevage provides leaf cover for the grapes, preventing them from experiencing sun burn. Further, the process assists with aeration and reducing humidity among the vines. As relevage is underway, herbal treatments also begin. Small amounts of copper, sulfur and nettle are sprayed minimally. If mildew pressure increases, skimmed milk is also used to treat the vines.

Work continues in the cellar. Attention now returns to the vineyard, where plowing commences once again and manure sprays continue. As the winter rains begin to arrive, winter cover crops - rye, winter peas, vetch, and winter barley - are planted.

Fruit trees are co-planted within the vineyard. The vines and trees are left to rest and profit from the winter rains. Work is afoot in the cellar.