The countdown to the grape harvest is a meticulous process that requires careful planning and monitoring.
The following description of the process may vary depending on weather conditions, region and specific grape varieties.
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Vineyard monitoring (several months before the harvest)
The first step in the countdown to the grape harvest is regular monitoring of the vineyard.
Growers should carefully examine grapes and vines throughout the growing season to determine the overall health of the vineyard and predict when grapes will reach optimum maturity. -
Grape testing and sampling (1-2 months before the harvest)
As the growing season progresses, growers will begin to taste and sample grapesmore frequently.
This includes measuring the sugar content (known as Brix), acidity and pH of the grapes.
These factors are key to determining the right balance between sweetness and acidity, which in turn affects the taste and quality of the wine. -
Deciding on the time of the harvest (1-2 weeks before the harvest)
The decision of when to start harvesting is crucial.
Too early and the grapes may not have developed enough sugars and flavours; too late and the grapes may be overripe or may have spoiled.
Growers should also take into account the weather forecast, as rain can dilute the flavour of the grapes or cause them to rot. -
Preparation for the harvest (days before the harvest)
Once the decision has been made to begin the harvest,
preparations must be made for the harvest.
This may include cleaning and preparing harvesting equipment, organising harvest workers, and planning harvest logistics (such as transporting grapes from the vineyard to the winery). -
The Harvest
The harvest itself can take anything from a few days to several weeks, depending on the size of the vineyard and whether all the grapes are harvested at the same time or in stages.
During the harvest, the grapes are carefully harvested and then transported to the winery for processing. -
Post-harvest processing
After harvesting, the grapes are processed, which includes removing the stems, crushing the grapes to release the juice and, in the case of red wines, fermentation with the skins to extract colour and tannins.
Harvesting is both an art and a science, and each grower may have their own unique approach based on their experience, local conditions and the type of wine they are producing.
Factors to take into account before the harvest
The pre-harvest fertilisation programme is a crucial aspect of viticulture.
A careful balance is needed to ensure that the vines have enough nutrients to grow and produce high quality grapes yet without over-fertilising, which could result in overgrowth of the vines and a decrease in grape quality.
The main objective of pre-harvest fertilisation is to maintain the health of the vine and to provide the grapes with the right balance of nutrients for optimum development.
To get the best results from your crop, it is best to seek the advice of a viticulture expert or agronomist.
They will provide you with advice specific to your vineyard, as nutrient needs can vary depending on many variables.
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Beginning of the growing season (Spring)
Application of a slow-release fertiliser at the beginning of the growing season. This fertiliser should have a balance of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium, as well as micronutrients such as Zinc and Manganese.
This application helps the vine to recover from winter and to support the initial growth of leaves and shoots.
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Flowering (Late Spring/Early Summer)
A fertiliser rich in Phosphorus can be beneficial during flowering to help in the formation of grapes.
Growers may also consider applying a calcium leaf spray during flowering to help vines resist stress and improve grape quality.
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Grape ripening (summer)
During this time, growers may want to reduce Nitrogen to avoid excessive vine growth. A potassium leaf spray can be considered to help the grapes ripen and improve quality and flavour.
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Pre-harvest (Late Summer/Early Autumn)
As the grapes approach harvesting, growers will want to avoid applying any additional fertiliser to prevent excessive growth and to allow the vines to start preparing for winter.
Remember that nutrient balance is essential for vine development and that fertilisation must go hand in hand with good vineyard management practices, such as pruning, pest and disease control and adequate irrigation.
In addition, it is important to perform regular soil and vine tissue analyses to determine the specific nutrient needs of your vineyard.
If you have any doubts about how to calculate the right amount of fertiliser for your vineyard, about the benefits that Zinc or Manganese can have or about the criteria to determine the nutrient needs of your vineyard,
DF
GRUPO is here to help and will recommend the products that best suit the needs of your crop.
Please contact us, and we will be happy to discuss it with you!
