Vineyard work: an art that follows the rhythm of the seasons

Viticulture is a delicate balance between tradition and innovation. Every step is important, and each month brings its own set of essential tasks to ensure exceptional grapes. 

PREPARE AND MAINTAIN THE SOIL

In the most prestigious vineyards, working the soil remains an essential practice: 

- In the fall, earthing up protects the vines from the cold and humidity. 

- In spring, we carry out the initial plowing to free the vine stock, followed by digging and hoeing. 

Some winegrowers prefer grassing to prevent erosion, while others rely on herbicides. 

FERTILIZATION AND TREATMENTS

The soil is enriched with fertilizers and compost to maintain its fertility. For protection, the vines receive several phytosanitary treatments, including Bordeaux mixture, applied to the graft, stem, and branches. 

PRUNING: STRUCTURING THE VINE

- From December to March, winter pruning limits the expansion of the vines and varies according to local traditions. 

- In summer, we refine the work with trimming, topping and leaf removal to concentrate the sap on the berries and maximize the sunshine. 

 

VINEYARD WORK MONTH BY MONTH 

• January - February: Manual pruning of the vines begins, requiring precise know-how.
• March: The vines emerge from their winter dormancy. Depending on the practice, weeding is done chemically or grassing is encouraged. Ploughing is making a comeback on organic farms.
• April: Buds open (budding). This is also the time to plant new vines and restore trellises.
• May: Beware of late frosts! The cycle of treatments against diseases and parasites begins and will continue until mid-September. A second plowing is often carried out.
• June: The vine is in bloom. The branches are trained and treatments are intensified if necessary.
• July: Time for adjustments: plowing, treatments, trimming of overly long stems and “green harvesting” to control yields.
• August: Second pruning and final treatments before the harvest.
• September: Harvest begins. Machines often replace labor, except for fine wines and certain specific harvests. In hot weather, harvesting takes place at night to preserve the freshness of the grapes.
• October: End of the harvest and enrichment of the soil with organic amendments.
• November: Late harvests take place if the year is mild. The largest shoots are pruned and the vines are prepared for winter with the final plowing and treatments.
• December: We maintain the infrastructure (drains, paths, terraces), and winter pruning work resumes.   

This wine calendar illustrates the expertise and rigor required to produce quality wines. Every step counts, and respecting the natural rhythm of the vine is the key to a successful vintage.