A common question I am asked by friends outside the wine industry is, “What do you do through the winter?” The assumption is that, with vines not growing and the weather often miserable, there can’t be much work to do in a vineyard at this time of year. Can there?
I’m always met with shocked faces when I describe the hours of hard work – often in the worst of the British weather – that vineyard workers put into essential winter operations. Winter may seem like a quiet time, but for those of us in the industry, it is a season of intense labour, careful planning, and crucial groundwork that ensures the vineyard’s success in the coming year.
Pruning season: the backbone of winter work
Pruning is arguably the most important vineyard task of the winter, demanding skill, endurance, and patience. Every vine must be carefully pruned to set it up for optimal growth, ensuring a balance between yield and quality for the coming harvest.
The weather has been mixed this winter, with heavy rainfall, strong winds, and brief cold spells. December and January saw frequent storms, while February remained mild with above-average temperatures. Despite occasional frosty mornings, snowfall was minimal, and the season was wetter than usual. This posed challenges, with saturated soils making it difficult to move machinery and complicating pruning work.
While pruning should ideally be avoided in wet weather, the reality of growing grapes in England is that if we only pruned on dry days, the job would never get finished. That’s why vineyard workers remain out in the fields, rain or shine, ensuring every vine is pruned in time for the new season.
Managing the logistics behind the scenes
While pruning teams battle the elements, VineWorks HQ is just as busy. Our viticulturists must adapt, ensuring each of our customers has the right number of crew to complete their pruning work efficiently and cost-effectively. This involves meticulous scheduling, coordination with vineyard managers, and regular site visits to check progress and maintain quality standards.
The start of the year is particularly intense. In early January, we welcome back seasonal staff, conducting health and safety inductions and skills refreshers. For new members, this is an opportunity to learn the techniques that define high-quality pruning.
Once pruning settles into a steady rhythm, our focus shifts to planning for the year ahead. A major part of this involves working with an agronomist to develop a tailored spray programme. We also ensure compliance with plant protection regulations – an essential aspect of responsible vineyard management. Keeping up-to-date with legislation is vital for maintaining healthy vineyards and producing high-quality fruit.
Machinery, innovation, and early-season preparations
Winter is also a key time for machinery maintenance and upgrades. Our team has regular check-ins with machinery operators and contractors to assess workload, discuss improvements, and ensure all equipment is in peak condition before the growing season begins.
Over the last few years, we’ve recognised the challenge vineyard operators face in managing early-season weed growth. To address this, VineWorks is introducing early-season herbicide applications via ATV (all-terrain vehicle). This will allow operators to access vineyards even when conditions are too wet for tractors, providing a significant advantage in controlling weed growth.
Looking ahead: the transition to spring
As winter fades, the excitement in the team builds. One of the highlights of my role is planning our first vineyard visits of the season. Budburst marks the start of a new vintage, bringing renewed energy and anticipation. Seeing the first green shoots emerge after months of dormancy is a rewarding moment – one that underscores the importance of winter work.
Spring shifts our focus to monitoring vine growth, implementing nutrition plans, and preparing for frost protection if necessary. The unpredictability of the British climate keeps us on our toes, but with careful planning, we ensure our vineyards are set up for success.
In conclusion
Winter may not be the most glamorous season in the vineyard, but it is one of the most critical. The hard work and resilience of our vineyard teams during these colder months lay the foundation for everything that follows.
