Lethargy in the vineyard: what happens when the vine sleeps?

From November to March, approximately, our Palacios Vinos de Finca vineyards remain in a state of vegetative rest. To the untrained eye, it would seem that the vines, without their characteristic leaves, are dry or even dead. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Cold, snow, frost... Winter is a key period in the vegetative cycle of the vine and the vine is an extremely resistant plant that has different mechanisms to protect itself from the cold, being able to withstand temperatures as low as -20ºC.

In our case, the environment of Palacios Vinos de Finca is located in two regions: Rioja and Ribera del Duero, where sustainable viticulture is practised, with a vocation for wines linked to their origin.

In Bodegas Trus, Ribera del Duero, we have intensified the search for privileged vineyards in high, cool areas; in Nivarius, the first winery in Rioja to make only white wines, we are committed to native varieties in areas that are little explored for winemaking, with an altitude of between 700 and 800 metres and an extreme climate that favours freshness; while Proelio, the Rioja reds winery, has located vineyards at high altitude and on superb estates.

How the vine prepares for winter

Winter dormancy, also known as 'dormancy', is part of the vine's vegetative cycle. It is a period of its biological cycle that is temporarily suspended, reducing metabolic activity and allowing the organism to conserve energy.

From an evolutionary point of view, "dormancy" is an adaptive characteristic that ensures the survival of species in different ecosystems.

In the case of the vine, this means that, during the winter months, there will be no movement of sap, but the vine will maintain a dormant activity: it will conserve sufficient energy reserves - carbohydrates - to feed the new shoots that sprout in the spring.

When the vine sleeps, it is time for pruning

If there is one job that characterises the vineyard during the winter, it is pruning. It is an essential task to maintain the plant's health, control its growth and ensure the harvest from one year to the next. A precise and decisive job, which will determine the quality of the grapes for the rest of the year. As the saying goes: "If you know how to prune well, you will give the best vineyard".

Here you can read an article about the respectful pruning that we practice at Palacios Vinos de Finca, depending on the vineyard management, the grape variety and even the specific plot.

After pruning and harvesting the shoots, in our high altitude vineyards the next step is to wait for the arrival of spring and the rise in temperatures. It is then that the plant will begin to awaken from its lethargy and the most magical and poetic moment in the vineyard will take place: "the weeping of the vines". That is to say, the sign that the sap is circulating again, with a few drops - the weeping - escaping through the pruned cuttings.

A new stage in a unique winemaking project aimed at producing unique wines.