The vine cycle: understanding the key stages of the vine throughout the seasons
The vine cycle is a true natural ballet, which can be complex. As winegrowers in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, we help you better understand the stages of the vine! With an annual rhythm, governed by the seasons, the vine cycle directly influences the work of the winegrower, the quality of the harvest and, ultimately, the aromatic profile of the wines. Understanding the vegetative cycle of the vine will allow you to appreciate the know-how hidden behind each bottle.
You can download this diagram of the vine cycle in PDF version by clicking: here.
The vine cycle in spring: the vine awakens 🌱
From March, the vine slowly emerges from its winter sleep. This is the beginning of a new cycle, the starting point of this wonderful process!
The bud break phase (March-April)
The buds swell then open. Small leaves appear: the vine enters its active phase. This is a period sensitive to late frosts which can jeopardize the future harvest.
What is the work in the vineyards in March?
In March, winegrowers often finish winter pruning. It is also time to tie the canes, aerate the soil, and monitor for frost risks. Bud break is approaching.
What is the work in the vineyards in April?
The sap generates enormous pressure below the buds, they burst to bring out their leaves and flowers. The first signs of growth are observed. This is a period of vigilance against early diseases. Spring frosts can also occur at any time.
The flowering phase (May-June)
A few weeks after bud break, small white flowers appear on the vine. Homogeneous flowering is a sign of a good harvest. The climate is then crucial: too much rain or too much wind can harm pollination.
What is the work in the vineyards in May?
The winegrower monitors the development of the shoots (green growth that will bear the grapes), begins the first treatments if necessary and ensures trellising (separation of the shoots of each vine, with a staple, thus allowing the vine to aerate better).
The vine cycle in summer: growth and veraison of grapes🍇
The fruit set phase (June-July)
The fertilized flowers become small green berries. This is the formation of the grape clusters. The winegrower ensures the proper development of the vine (while limiting diseases).
What is the work in the vineyards in June?
The work consists of leaf removal and monitoring the sanitary condition of the plantations. Trellising also continues.
The veraison phase (July-August)
The grapes change color: reds turn purple, whites turn golden. Sugar increases, acidity decreases. Maturity is approaching. To learn more about this subject, we advise you to discover our detailed blog article on veraison.
What is the work in the vineyards in July?
The grapes are ripening. Leaf removal continues to aerate the clusters, and excessive vine vigor is also limited.
What is the work in the vineyards in August?
The winegrower monitors the ripening of the grapes. He must control late-cycle diseases and above all prepare the equipment for the harvest!
The vine cycle in autumn: harvest and preparation for winter 🌿
The ripening phase (September)
The berries reach their sugar/acidity balance. Tasting the grapes makes it possible to determine the ideal time for harvesting. Each plot can be harvested on a different date.
The harvest (September-October)
A key moment in the vine cycle. Depending on practices or appellations, they are manual (as for our Crémant de Loire) or mechanical. Speed is essential to avoid oxidation or over-ripening. If you want to learn more about the grape variety we harvest; discover our guide to Cabernet Franc in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil.
What is the work in the vineyards in September?
The harvest is the starting point for winemaking in the cellars. The harvest date depends on the grape variety and essentially on the weather. For many years, with climate warming, an early harvest has been observed. This does not impact the quality of the wine, but on the other hand, it forces winegrowers to adapt according to the weather.
What is the work in the vineyards in October?
Some late plots or certain types of grape varieties are still harvested in some appellations. We also begin to clean the vines while maintaining the soil of the different terroirs.
Leaf fall (November)
Once the grapes are picked, the vine enters a resting phase. The leaves fall and reserves are stored in the roots.
What is the work in the vineyards in November?
The soil can be worked or covered with grass. This is a period of observation that serves as a transition before the winter period.
The vine cycle in winter: vegetative rest and vine pruning ❄️
Vegetative rest (December-January)
The sap descends. The vine seems dead, but it is resting (it enters dormancy). This break allows the plant to regenerate.
What is the work in the vineyards in December?
The winegrower begins winter pruning in some regions, maintains the equipment and plans the next campaign. If you want to know our pruning method, we have prepared for you a guide on simple Guyot pruning to help you.
What is the work in the vineyards in January?
The vine is now in complete rest. The winegrower prepares the equipment and continues pruning in the milder regions.
Vine pruning (February-March)
This is a crucial stage in the vine cycle. By eliminating unnecessary wood, the winegrower directs future growth. Pruning influences vigor, yield, cluster aeration, and the overall health of the plant.
What is the work in the vineyards in February?
February is a month dedicated to pruning. Dead wood is removed, and the stumps are structured to promote future growth. It is also time to check the condition of the posts and wires.
Then we start a new vine cycle, with the bud break phase in March♻️.
The vine cycle: a summary by season
Vine work takes place throughout the year, each season requiring vigilance and precise actions:
- Spring: weeding, raising of shoots, phytosanitary treatments if necessary.
- Summer: suckering, trellising, leaf removal.
- Autumn: Harvest and soil preparation of the terroirs.
- Winter: maintenance of posts and wires, vine pruning.
The vine cycle is a cycle where the hand of man is as important as that of nature.
Why is the vine cycle crucial for wine quality?
The vegetative cycle defines the characteristics of the vintage: concentration, aromas, acidity, tannins. A rainy spring, an overly dry summer, a mild autumn... each climatic variation marks the wine. This is what makes each of the vintages of all our Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines so unique! For example, our 12 Arpents cuvée is regularly available for sale among 2 vintages, which allows you to realize this when tasting!
At Domaine de La Chopinière du Roy, a family winegrowing estate in Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, we respect this natural vine cycle with our HVE certification (High Environmental Value). If you want to learn more about the characteristics of our appellation, consult our guide to the Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil AOC.
FAQ (frequently asked questions): everything you need to know about the vine cycle
What is the calendar of the vine cycle?
The vine cycle follows five main phases: bud break (in March), flowering (in May), veraison (in June), harvest (in September) and rest (during winter). Each month brings its share of viticultural tasks.
What happens to a vine each season?
The vine cycle is seasonal:
- Spring: resumption of activity, leaves and flowers appear.
- Summer: fruit growth, ripening.
- Autumn: harvest, leaf fall.
- Winter: vegetative rest, pruning.
What is the life cycle of the vine?
A grapevine lives between 30 and 90 years. It starts producing around 3-4 years old, reaches its peak around 20 years old, then its production gradually decreases.
Why prune grapevines in March?
March is a suitable time because the vine is still dormant and close to bud break. This limits diseases while promoting a homogeneous distribution of sap.
