As in the case of all fruit plants, the vine goes through annual cycles that not only depend of its physiology, but also of the environmental impact on it (the different seasons of the year) and the agricultural works conducted in function of the vineyard’s needs.
Throughout a year, the estate experiences two well-differentiated states that last around 6 months: a productive stage and a dormancy period, as plants need to rest during winter to reach their maximum productivity in the subsequent harvest. The phase known as dormancy or winter break begins in autumn, as leaves begin to fall. Throughout this stage, vines accumulate reserves at the trunk and roots to face winter and recover energy. Later, spring comes along with the subsequent stage, the vegetative one, beginning with the budbreak, which extends beyond the fruit harvest.
Everything begins with a small bud that marks the revival of the vineyard, as it begins to turn the estates green.
Even though every process undergone by the vine throughout these two phases is crucial for the fruit development and the winemaking activity, everything begins with a small bud that marks the revival of the vineyard, as it begins to turn the estates green. Thus, the growth of the first buds or sprouts in the shoots of the vine is a very special moment for the agronomists working at Bodega Luigi Bosca.
After the weeping stage, the sap reaches the sides of the shoots or branches that were cut in the winter pruning, and the plant resting period comes to an end. This way, as warmer days and not excessively cold nights arrive, the plant enters its vegetative stage with the accumulated reserves in its roots and trunk. At this moment, the buds of the shoots begin to swell until the scaling covering them separate, and the first green sprouts that will turn into leaves appear.
As the vegetative phase begins, the budbreak becomes essential for the subsequent vineyard evolution; therefore, agronomists are aware of the fact that, at this stage, utmost attention should be paid to potential risks, in order to achieve healthy and top-quality fruits. These first buds should be especially protected from frosts, as temperatures below 0 °C make shoots freeze, which may cause irreversible damage to plants. Similarly, the agricultural team closely checks for occurrences of pests, to prevent any symptom that may harm the growth of future fruits.
Today, Luigi Bosca estates are going through the budbreak process, and this is why we are putting all efforts into caring for said little buds full of hope, which will give rise to the bunches to be obtained in the 2023 harvest.
