Location: Blogs Setting up a small vineyard in NZ |
 |
| Posted by: martinp |
31/03/2008 |
It's starting to cool down here in NZ at the moment, still nice during the day, 20-25 C, but a lot cooler at night. All the vineyards around here have harvested their crops, with varying comments made about the expected quality, mostly due to the high rainfall we have had this summer which hasn't helped the grapes ripen.
We will soon have to make a decision on how we are going to prune back our vines. There is probably another couple of months before we do this as there is still some growing time left, but a plan on what we want to achieve next year is required. One commercial vineyard owner reckons we should not plan on harvesting any grapes at all next year, and this will make the vines stronger for the long term, but others have said we can get a partial crop, so would have at least something to look forward to.
I am pulled towards getting something next year, and most of our vines are strong, though one or two, even now, have not reached the first wire. I may do a full prune on the weaker vines, but on the stronger ones leave a growing cordon so we can get grapes next year. Even if we only have a partial crop, we should still get several hundred bottles.
We have got someone lined up to make the wine for us, and this in itself seems to be a mixture of science, witchcraft, and luck. One thing we have found is that virtually all the wineries buy in at least part of their grape requirements. We were offered a tonne of Merlot grapes, but don't at the moment have either the spare cash, or the facility to deal with it.
|
|
| Permalink |
Trackback |
Comments (3)
|
Re: Nearing the end of summer |
By Alison on
09/04/2008 |
| Personally, I couldn't wait for a whole year before harvesting. Could you not harvest half and leave the other half to grow stronger for next year. Or in fact is that what you are saying when you say you are going to prune the weaker vines. A hundred bottles sounds amazing. What fun! Only sorry you don't live nearer! Alison |
|
|
Re: Nearing the end of summer |
By martinp on
09/04/2008 |
| The plan is to prune the strongest vines such as to form a fruiting branch, or even two, for next year. The weaker vines, will be pruned so they form their fruiting branches nicely next summer ready for the year after. It is better to remove any grapes from the weaker vines so all their growth goes into the wood, not the fruit. We have been told, more than once, that in 4 years or so, when everything is fully matured, we should get over 1000 bottles per year. That's a lot of bottles of wine, I only hope it tastes nice, but that really is up to us, and the care and attention we lavish on the vineyard. Weather plays a major role in all this, so it's fingers crossed and, mould sprays at the ready. Martin |
|
|
Re: Nearing the end of summer |
By tiger fudd on
15/04/2008 |
Nearing the end of summer, give a thought for us in the UK, we can't remember anything resembling a summer.Hope the harvest is good, spare a thought for the leventhorpe vineyard.
Hope all turns out well.
Tiger. |
|
|