IT’S PRUNING TIME
The cold weather has arrived and it is the time for the vineyards to rest.
It is time to rest, absorb the nutrients and energy of the earth.
This December, we begin pruning the vines following the Simonit & Sirch method, a respectful pruning technique that promotes balanced plant growth and avoids unnecessary injuries. This approach helps to prolong the life of the vine, improve its resistance and optimize grape production.
What is pruning and why is it important?
Pruning is one of the most important tasks in grape growing, as it allows you to control the growth of the plant, improve the quality of the fruit and ensure its long-term health. This technique consists of eliminating unnecessary parts of the plant, such as old, diseased or poorly positioned shoots, to guide its growth and promote its structure.
Proper pruning:
- It prolongs the life of the vine by avoiding large wounds that could cause infections.
- It improves grape quality, controlling production and ensuring a balance between foliage and fruit.
- Reduce the risk of disease by removing dead or diseased parts.
The Simonit&Sirch method
The Simonit & Sirch method is a pruning system developed by Marco Simonit and Pierpaolo Sirch, experts in viticulture. It is based on respecting the sap flow of the plant and minimizing wounds during pruning.
Its basic principles are: 1. Progressive pruning: Work is done to maintain young and healthy structures, avoiding large and aggressive cuts. 2. Respect for sap flow: The natural circulation of sap is prioritized to avoid cutting the main pathways. 3. Plant management: The growth of the vine is guided in an orderly and balanced manner. 4. Disease prevention: By avoiding large wounds and unnecessary scars, the risk of infections is reduced.
With pruning, the vineyard begins its winter rest, a moment of stillness where energy is concentrated in the roots. This silence of winter is nothing more than a necessary pause for life that will emerge again with force when spring arrives. Each pruning cut, done conscientiously, is committed to a new cycle full of life, fruit and emotions. Thus, the vineyard rests, we take care of it, and the territory prepares to offer us, once again, its best fruit to end up making the best wine.
READ MORE
- The Pruning School: Simonit&Sirch Come Master Pruners Academy
- All about our Viticulture: How we work in Viticulture | Vinyes d’Olivardots
Sommelier, Marketing, Comunicació i Enoturisme del celler Vinyes d’Olivardots, DO Empordà
