As the crisp winter air settles over us here in Broke Fordwich, a period of quiet transformation takes hold across our vineyards. While the vines appear dormant, a crucial activity is underway – pruning. This seemingly simple act of cutting back branches is, in fact, quite the meticulous art form, one that directly shapes the future quality of our grapes and viticulture.

We are proud to be the custodians of over 100 hectares of distinguished and certified sustainably farmed vineyards across the Broke Fordwich region, and every year we prune every single one of those vines by hand. That works out to be around about260,000 individual vines.Yep. That’s a lot of haircuts.

Suffice to say, the vineyard team are equipped with some spiffy electric pruning shears, though it is still a huge commitment, and one of the lengthiest tasks the team take on throughout the year.

Why do we prune in Winter?

Winter dormancy provides the perfect window. With the sap down, the vine is less susceptible to stress and disease from pruning. It also allows us to clearly see the vine's structure, making precise cuts that will influence the following year's growth, maximising the vine’s health and future yield.

The Art of the Cut

Every one of those quarter-of-a-million vines receives careful attention. We remove unproductive old wood, making way for new shoots to emerge in spring. This ensures the vine directs its energy towards ripening the grapes, not maintaining unnecessary growth.

We employ a method called "cane pruning," which involves carefully selecting a few healthy canes from the previous year's growth. The remaining shoots are then removed, leaving the vine with a manageable canopy and less competition for nutrients.

Benefits of Cane Pruning:

• Fruit Quality:By limiting the number of grapes a vine produces, cane pruning ensures each grape receives the necessary sunlight, nutrients, and water it needs. This translates to grapes with excellent concentration of fruit, resulting in wonderful full flavour and ideal ripeness.
• Enhanced Airflow and Light Penetration:A well-pruned canopy allows for better air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Additionally, increased sunlight exposure promotes even ripening across the grape clusters.
• Sustainability:Cane pruning also helps us to minimize waste and stay true to our commitment to sustainable viticulture. The removed canes from our vineyards are taken and turned into bio-char, a sustainable material that is very handy across our vineyards and kitchen garden for retaining soil moisture.

Do the Work in Winter, Reap the Reward in Summer

As winter fades and spring awakens, the pruned vines come alive again with vibrant new growth. The carefully selected buds burst forth, their new shoots reaching for the warm sunlight to mark the start of the growing season.

So, next time you enjoy a glass of your favourite Margan wine, take a moment to reflect on those 260,000 vines, and the meticulous care and effort that goes into winter pruning, which laid the foundation for the fruit to thrive that you are enjoying now.