Rotating clusters on the vine?

[PeterJ]

So I’m looking at a bottle of Stolpman Roussane and the bottle note says the clusters are rotated on the vine. That’s a new thing for me and Google isn’t helping. Does it refer to turning the clusters for more sun or moving the canopy, or what?

[Casey Hartlip]

No clue.

[Casey Hartlip]

No clue. Sounds like marketing bullsh_t to me.

[PeterJ]

Found this on their website for this wine:

“A month prior to forecasted harvest, every grape cluster is rotated 180 degrees to facilitate an even sun-tan.”

It follows this statement: “Most notably, in late July we pull leaves away from the fruit to allow direct sun penetration.”

I wonder how unusual this treatment is.

[GregP]

Found this on their website firvthis wine:

“A month prior to forecasted harvest, every grape cluster is rotated 180 degrees to facilitate an even sun-tan.”

It follows this statement: “Most notably, in late July we pull leaves away from the fruit to allow direct sun penetration.”

I wonder how unusual this treatment is.

180 degree rotation. Wouldn't that do at least some damage to stems, and most likely a lot? Its not like twisting a cotton twine, stems are hard fiber.

I don't buy it.

[Gary Schulte]

Boy that's being pretty fussy about sun tanning the grapes. Not buying the importance of doing this. Are trying to drive down the overall acidity ?

[Casey Hartlip]

And therefore I claim bullshit!

[BenjaminL]

If it weren't $30/btl I might give them benefit of the doubt. I worked at one place that would look at the day's weather, and if it were going to be >95dF, they would move the catch wires out 10" on the trellis to shade the grapes; if it were going to be <95dF they would move the catch wires in to allow more direct sun to the clusters. We were making a $250/btl of cab, however.
If I had an intern with nothing to do before harvest, I might tell them to go do something like that on a row or two, but I don't know how one would secure the cluster so it didn't just flip back around...