SEASONS OF THE VINE

Bud Swelling: A primary bud awakens from dormancy as the vine pumps life up from its roots. (January/February)

Bud Break: Leaves from buds left on canes after winter pruning begin to emerge. (February/March)

Leaf Emergence: Leaves are now recognized and shoots are beginning to photosynthesize. (March)

Shoot Growth: More leaves emerge as the shoot elongates. At this point, shoots are still highly susceptible to frost that can significantly damage crop yield. (March).

Flower Cluster Emergence: Many of these tender young flowers will become this year’s fruit. (March/April)

Flower Clusters Before Bloom: Flowers are fully formed but not yet bloomed. (April)

Beginning Of Bloom: Flower caps pop off to reveal the reproductive stigma and stamens of the vine’s flowers. (April/May)

Full Bloom: Because grape flowers are self pollinating their bloom is unlike many fruits that display extravagant blooms to attract birds and bees to help them pollinate. (May)

End Of Bloom: All the flowers that will get fertilized have been pollinated and the berries begin to swell. (May/June)

Just Before Berry Set: Remnants of flowers remain before the unfertilized berries fall off the cluster.
(May/June)

Berry Set: flowers that have been fertilized now become firmly attached to the stem and will eventually become grapes. (June)

Berries Enlarging: Cells within the berries are dividing as well as expanding. (June)

Cluster Closing: Berries have reached full size and have no room for further enlarging. (June/July)

Beginning of Veraison: Berries begin to turn color, soften and further their flavors and sugars. (July)

Veraison Nearly Complete: the point at which most grape clusters have completed veraison is an ideal point to thin out those clusters that are the furthest from completing veraison. (July/Aug)

Ripe Clusters: Grape flavors are fully mature; acids and sugar are in balance- its Harvest Time! (Sept./Oct.)

Harvest: Harvest grapes, depending on location, and prepare for winemaking process. (Sept/Oct.)

Prune: Cut back canes to prepare for dormant winter and next year’s spring. (Dec./Jan.)


CHEERS!
www.finewineonline.net