From Dormancy to Harvest: A Year in the Life of a Grapevine
Learn about the life cycle of the grapevine from dormancy to harvest! It may seem as though much of the action in the vineyard happens between the months of June and August, but there are things going on year-round.
Pruning
In late February into March while the grapevines are still dormant, pruning begins. Old growth is cut away and the best canes (branches) are kept for the coming season. This helps to control the number of canes the vine will produce, thus directing energy into producing higher quality fruit.
Bud Break
First bud break is typically seen early to mid-May. The tiny buds that have been forming on the vine finally break open and small leaves emerge. Here in the northeast, this can be a high-risk period as cold nights can stunt growth and a late season frost can kill the delicate buds.
Flowering
Flowering occurs about a month after bud break in June. Tiny white & green flowers can be found in clusters on the vines. These are perfect flowers, meaning they self-pollinate and don’t require bees or other pollinators for fertilizations.
Fruit Set
June & July see fruit set, the formation of small hard green berries. At this point, nearly all grape varieties look the same whether they are red or white grapes.
Veraison
Veraison (a French term referring to the changing of color) is one of the more exciting times in the vineyard. Later in the summer – July into August – the grapes begin the ripening process. It’s at this point that the grapes finally start to change color. Red grapes will turn a blush pink and eventually deepen to red. White grapes, on the other hand, will become more golden and vaguely translucent.
Harvest
Finally, what it’s all been leading to: harvest season can begin as early as late August and go into early October, depending on the grape variety. We monitor the grapes by periodically checking the brix (sugar levels). When harvest occurs is determined by the brix as well as bird & bee activity. It’s a balancing act between wanting the grapes to be as sweet as possible without being decimated by birds and insects.
Leaf Fall & Dormancy
As the seasons change and the weather cools, the leaves change color and eventually fall off. The grapevines enter into dormancy for the winter, and the cycle starts over.
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