Update from the Vineyard

Take a good look at this photo.  Notice the leaves on the ground?  Have you ever wondered why they do this?

This activity in the vineyard is called "canopy management" and serves many purposes as explained in this quote: "The purpose of leaf removal is to open up the interior of the canopy to light and air to help promote fruit ripening, reduce disease pressure and increase spray coverage. If conducted correctly, the benefits to grape quality can be dramatic as exposure can enhance fruit and wine flavor, color and wine texture."

The point of all this is to produce the tastiest grapes from that vine.  When water is plentiful the vines make more leaves, but we don't want that.  If the vines are happily making leaves they are neglecting their fruit.  By pruning the extra canopy growth the vineyard manager is forcing the vines to get serious about the grapes which is all about improving the taste!