Winter pruning

With the arrival of autumn and, very soon, the winter months, calm returns to the vineyard.

After an intense period of growth and harvest this summer, a time of dormancy has now begun. At least for our grapevines. Behind the scenes, however, the vineyard team of Entre-Deux-Monts continues to work at full pace. It is during these winter months that the foundation for the coming summer is laid.

Winter pruning is not a spectacular sight. There are no blossoms or grapes to be seen in the vineyard, yet it is one of the most decisive moments in the life cycle of the vine. Every decision made with the pruning shears has consequences not only for the coming season, but often for many years to follow.

When the vine is fully at rest, usually between November and March, we carry out this precise and patient task. Pruning too early can make the vine vulnerable to winter frost, while pruning too late, closer to spring, can cause excessive sap loss when the plant awakens again. That is why it is essential to follow nature’s rhythm and respect the right timing.

No two vines are identical. Some have enjoyed a particularly vigorous growing season, while others required more care. During pruning, we revisit the growth of the past season and look ahead to the next. Which wood is healthy and well ripened? Where were the grape clusters positioned? And above all: how do we maintain the right balance between growth and quality for each individual vine?

At Entre-Deux-Monts, we choose a thoughtful and well-considered pruning approach. Not too strict, but never too generous either. Leaving fewer buds means fewer grapes but grapes with more concentrated juice. In other words, the choice for quality grapes begins right here, in the heart of autumn and winter.

Winter pruning requires craftsmanship. A steady hand, a sharp eye and plenty of experience. Mistakes can happen occasionally, but we aim to avoid them as much as possible. That is why we take our time. We preferably prune in dry weather, using clean and sharp tools, so that each cut injures the vine as little as possible. Small details, but they are precisely what make the difference.

Sustainability also plays an important role. The branches that formed our canopy last summer are now pruned away, but they are not wasted. The pruning wood is shredded and spread between the rows. In this way, it nourishes the soil once again, improves vineyard structure and stimulates soil life a natural cycle with lower CO₂ emissions than burning the pruning wood.

And so winter passes by. The vineyard appears calm and bare, but behind the scenes, work continues day after day. And we do so with great pleasure. On to a new year!