I have been battling with my vineyard manager to not remove so many damn leaves on pinot vines. I have found that I get more raisins and pruny characters in the wine. I like to have filtered light effect on the grapes not a roasting effect, it is California. I think once again we have taken a good idea too far. It seems that 10 years ago that was the thing to do in Burgundy but their conditions are different and they have backed out of it. I also have the feeling that it is related to the high alcohols we have been having. If I pick grapes at 24 Brix they typically soak to 26Brix. It sounds like their could be a connection there.
Nicolas
Emeritus Vineyards
Hey Nicolas, leaves are still pulled in Burgundy. Also, the vintage and specifics of a particular vineyard dictate leaf management. In your situation, it might others help you if you mention where you are located, what type of system they are on and the directional positioning of the vines themselves. There is no one right answer.
Cheers
Exactly! There is no universal system. Region, row orientation, vigor, etc all come into play. Lots going on and because weather patterns being different every season you can place different bets on what is appropriate based on expected weather. Or… you can hedge your bet and figure on what is safe and optimal most years…
There is no universal solution, exactly! In the Russian River I have had plenty of 90 to 100F days. Every year I get raisins. If the grapes are prone to mildew, please leaf remove, if not leave enough leaves to promote air circulation. Even the vineyards I have visited in France don’t remove as many leaves as we do and they fight diseases every year.
Nicolas, follow me on this. Something done in France, on a totally different continent is not necessarily going to be exactly apples and apples. So, where in the Russian River, what type of system are they on, what direction are they situated in…etc, etc., etc…
In the RRV, there can be one helluva difference in climate/growing conditions between one vineyard planted in the Sebastopol Hills versus another situated east of, say, Windsor. One should leaf accordingly.
Sorry - I can’t resist.