Month:
April
Key
Activity: Discing
Key
color: Brown, color of newly tilled soil
Key
Vine Stage: New shoot growth, bud-break in late varieties
(e.g.
Dolcetto, Refosco)
Ahh
April…the first full month of spring. The days are longer and
typically warmer. New shoots push out of the buds and grow quickly.
In some early varieties (like Nebbiolo), the shoots will reach
a length of 2 feet by the end of the month. Tiny clusters can
be seen on the emerging shoots.
By
discing the soil, we accomplish three things. We remove weeds,
cut up winter prunings, and expose the soil to better spot the
activities of our arch-enemy…gophers!
Sincerely,
John
Bargetto
Director
of Winemaking
January:
Continuous Pruning
February:
Pruning of 24,000 grapevines
March:
Dormant sulfur spraying
April:
Discing
May:
Shoot removal
June:
Leaf Pulling
July:
Shoot Positioning
August:
Thinning
September:
Sugar Testing (Brix) of Berries
October:
HARVEST!
November:
Fertilizing
December:
Erosion Control
