In July, shoots are positioned inside the wires to keep

the vine canopy open

Month: July

Key Activity: Shoot Positioning

Key color: Translucent Green

Key Vine Stage: Veraison

 

In our "new" Merlot section which was planted in 1999, we are utilizing the lyre-type trellis system. In this system the shoots grow in a verical direction. They are guided by three sets of wires, which are located 24 inches apart, one set above the other.

By hand, all the shoots are pushed against the wires, so the shoot tendrils can grab onto them. In this way, the vines are trained to grow in a vertical direction. Each vine has two vertical canopy zones, which are three feet apart. By training the vines, the center of the vine is kept open. In positioning the shoots this way, the grape clusters are well exposed to sunlight (especially after leaf pulling-see june) which is good for disease control.

Sincerely,

John Bargetto

Director of Winemaking

Monthly Progress Reports: A look at month to month activity in the vineyard.

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