This is how we look after Territorio Tarón’s vineyards during winter

After the grapes are harvested, the vine enters a period of vegetative standstill. The sap flows down to the roots and the plant ceases its activity in what is known as winter rest.

After the vegetative cycle, the soil and the vines suffer from deficiencies as they have been subjected to great stress. The soil needs to recover the nutrients it has provided over the last few months, so fertilisations are carried out to improve the soil’s biological activity.

In addition, other work also begins in the vineyard, such as subsoiling to decompact and aerate the soil, and winter sowing to create a plant cover to improve the soil structure.

One of the measures we adopt in our area is to delay the time of pruning, thereby minimising the adverse effects of spring frosts. In this sense, pruning is carried out starting in the later areas and finishing in the earlier ones. We have also returned to the practice of “maestrar”, which consists of pruning by leaving more eyes on each cane and then cutting them back in March or April. In this way, we manage to delay sprouting and avoid spring frosts.

As for the type of pruning, at Bodegas Tarón we are committed to respect pruning, which we consider very important and, for this reason, the winery has organised training courses for winegrowers. With this pruning, the plant’s sap flows are respected so that they are continuous, the drying out of plants due to aggressive pruning is avoided and the age of the vineyard is not reduced.

It should also be noted that frost is very beneficial during the winter, as it acts as a natural protection, disinfecting fungi, insects, mites and larvae that can be found under the bark of the wood. Snow is also important, so that it gradually brings water to the soil and is beneficial for the new cycle and, of course, rainfall.