Over the past few weeks the vineyard has been summer pruned or better still trimmed.  This process cuts off excess growth on both sides and the top of the vines.  I employ a contractor to do the Merlot as the rows allow the tractor fit between them.

The side trim removes lateral growth and can slightly improve fruit exposure without having to do a specific leaf pluck.  The top trim just shortens the vine height to ensure sufficient leaves are left to ripen the fruit as well as to be not too high to detract from the net application.

These are the Merlot vines prior to trimming.

These are Merlot vines which have been trimmed.

This shows the improved fruit exposure on the south facing side of the vine as my rows run east - west.

The famous Gherardi Viognier vines have narrower rows and hence the trimming machine and tractor will not fit down the rows easily. Vineman does the trimming by hand using a pair of gardening shears. The result is as good but physically demanding.

This shows the Viognier vines having had a second hand trim.

Well the past week has seen the Viognier fruit start to soften and the Merlot start to colour.  This is called veraison.  It is the sign to get the bird netting on ASAP. Gum blossom doesn’t look to heavy this year and it could prove to be a high bird pressure season.

The fruit varies from 10% to 60% coloured

This will mean constant checking of nets and I trust Pippa the ’serial pest’ will help chase any birds which find their way into the nets.

Time to earn your keep now Pippa!!

Cheers, Vineman

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