Michelle du Plessis’ Post

Vineyards can be both small & great in size They hold the evidence of hard work, determination & skill of both the winemaker & those working on the vines Varietals are grown, nurtured & harvested, ultimately releasing their natural aromas & those obtained through the various soil types & plant life found on the winery grounds Let's learn more about the humble yet spectacular vineyard The world's oldest known vineyard is the Areni-1 vineyard in Armenia, dating back over 6,000 years. The largest vineyard in the world is the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France, covering over 700,000 acres. Vineyards cover around 20 million acres worldwide. The ideal climate for growing grapes is in regions with warm days and cool nights. Grapevines can live for over 100 years, but most commercial vineyards replace them every 20-30 years. It takes around 600-800 grapes to make one bottle of wine. The world's most expensive vineyard is the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Burgundy, France. The oldest wine-producing country is Georgia, with evidence of winemaking dating back over 8,000 years. Sustainable vineyard practices include using solar power, composting, and integrated pest management. #uniqueboutiqueandaffordablewine #southafricanwines #accessoriesandgifts #winesyoucantfindinstore #winesandspirits #lifestyleproducts #fyp #vineyardfacts www.invino.co.za

Vineyards can be both small & great in size They hold the evidence of hard work, determination & skill of both the winemaker & those working on the vines Varietals are grown, nurtured & harvested, ultimately releasing their natural aromas & those obtained through the various soil types & plant life found on the winery grounds Let's learn more about the humble yet spectacular vineyard The world's oldest known vineyard is the Areni-1 vineyard in Armenia, dating back over 6,000 years. The largest vineyard in the world is the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France, covering over 700,000 acres. Vineyards cover around 20 million acres worldwide. The ideal climate for growing grapes is in regions with warm days and cool nights. Grapevines can live for over 100 years, but most commercial vineyards replace them every 20-30 years. It takes around 600-800 grapes to make one bottle of wine. The world's most expensive vineyard is the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Burgundy, France. The oldest wine-producing country is Georgia, with evidence of winemaking dating back over 8,000 years. Sustainable vineyard practices include using solar power, composting, and integrated pest management. #uniqueboutiqueandaffordablewine #southafricanwines #accessoriesandgifts #winesyoucantfindinstore #winesandspirits #lifestyleproducts #fyp #vineyardfacts www.invino.co.za

🍇 In the Vineyard: An Introduction to the Art of Viticulture🍇 Welcome to the fascinating kingdom of viticulture, where the magic of growing grapevines unfolds to bring us the delightful world of wine. In the next viticultural posts, we'll take a step-by-step journey through the vineyards, unraveling the secrets behind cultivating grapevines and discovering how they transform into the beloved beverage that has captured hearts for generations. Cheers to the captivating world of viticulture and the wonders of the grapevine—our guide as we learn, step by step, the art and science behind this age-old craft! 🌱 Viticulture As A Science The science and art of cultivating grapes, known as viticulture, is practiced intentionally by viticulturists and often instinctively by grape growers or vineyard caretakers. Techniques and methods vary widely across the globe, with grapes thriving in diverse climates, ranging from hot regions like southern California and inland Australia to cooler areas such as England, Luxembourg, and Denmark. 💚 Historical Aspect  Most grapevines belong to the botanical family of Vitaceae, Vitis sp. They are represented as shrub vines (lianas) and appear to be one of the oldest flowering plants on the Earth. Grapevines represent a huge diversity of morphological traits and remain understudied and under-classified in our days.  Interesting fact: Historically, grapevines were more bush-like, growing in well-lit areas. However, during the Tertiary period, as tropical forests expanded, the Vitaceae family evolved into liana forms to adapt to shade and compete for sunlight. Recent groundbreaking research has revolutionized our understanding of the origins and cultivation of wine grapes. In an extensive study analyzing over 3,500 domestic and wild grapevines, researchers have debunked several long-held beliefs in viticulture's history. This study offers a new perspective on the evolutionary journey of grapevines, challenging the traditional belief that grapes originated in Central Asia and spread westward. For the full post, please follow this link https://lnkd.in/dAgCtB6m There you will find also the Greek and Russian versions! Until the next time, keep feeling the GrapeVibes! 🍇🌱🍷✨ #GrapeVibes #WineAdventure #SoilToSip #Soilblog #Soilpost #Vineblog #Wineblog #Soillover #Vinelover #Winelover

Sensational Mosel Some time ago we introduced the Moselle or Mosel in our blog. But following a webinar at the Wine Scholar Guild, I would like to draw attention to the Mosel once again because of the very steep slopes that provide sensational and breathtaking views. To start with, the river Mosel (or Moselle as the river is called in France and Luxembourg) rises at the Col de Bussang in the Vosges. It winds through France and Luxembourg before arriving in Germany and finally flowing into the Rhine at Koblenz. The Mosel River is 531km long, of which 231km meanders in Germany. The vineyards are located on either side of the river, for optimal exposure because the river meanders so much. The region is now called the Mosel, for commercial reasons, but until 2013 it was Mosel, Saar, Ruwer named after the three rivers that cross through the wine-growing area. Viticulture goes back a long way here. The Weingut der Vereinigten Hospitien in Trier dates from the 7th century, but wine culture goes back to the Celts, but the Romans in particular improved this cultivation. Geology of the Mosel The wine-growing region is located between two low mountain ranges: Hunsrück and Eifel in the Rheinisches Schiefergebirge. The climate in this valley is warmer with optimal rainfall. Here we mainly find slate, shell limestone, marl and limestone, while the valley floor mainly contains rubble, gravel and sand deposits. Although the soil structure varies enormously, slate predominates. Riesling Riesling is the most planted grape variety with 63% plantings in 2022. Mosel is a real white grape region, where blue grapes are only 10% found (particularly Pinot Noir or Blauburgunder). Riesling is a “noble” grape variety in Germany. This means that it is considered one of the very best grape varieties with consistently high grape quality. Want to know more about the Mosel or the Riesling? https://lnkd.in/e8MWinDw

Each of us has a personal philosophy that drives how we ‘roll’ from day to day. An intuitive compass that makes us who we are. I’ve been told that the diversity of projects that I take make for interesting ‘story’……..and it’s not that I try, it’s just that these things just seem to come at me (and always a mix of ‘funk’ that makes every day a completely new experience). What drives this? It’s as simple as: “Keep doing interesting things and interesting things will keep happening to you.” So what makes something interesting? That’s one of those ‘eyes of the beholder’ thoughts over vintage Port and cigars. My take on “interesting” is that nothing about the ‘thing’ you are doing or the endeavor you take on aligns with anything else you are attempting in your category. (Winemakers understand this though process in reference to the term, “Cellar Palate”…..[no so good]) If you could run a tag line for the life you live, what would it be? Would it be, “I build things that make other peoples lives more productive and stress free”? Or how about, “Challenging the agricultural world to make more sustainable decisions regarding their farming operations.” Sometimes tag lines are assigned to us…….and not always positive, such as a one recently assigned to a bulk wine broker that reads, “Where your bulk wine samples go to die.” (Ouch!) Here below, reviewing and urban agritourism property to break ground on this year for the “Oak Glen Winery” in Southern California. Standing here at 3200’ in elevation, the roughly 3100 degree day site overlooks roughly 1200-1500 acres of virgin alluvial decomposed granite slope in the popular Oak Glen “Apple Tourism Capital” of Southern California. The newly registered “Yucaipa Valley American Viticultural Area” is a fun new adventure with 2 small vineyard blocks developing for Consulting Wine/Wine Concepts & Design, Intl. Clients in the area. So, the moral of the story? Put a little spark in your life…….and Do Interesting Things! #techtalk4wine #branddevelopment #californiawine #winemaker Bill Tolar Chris Catterton Phil Hurst

Our best-known vineyard Boot Hill is home to our still-wine grapes and some of our ripest fruit. Funnily enough, Boot Hill was earmarked as our third choice when planting vines in 2004 - it’s higher up and, we thought, more exposed. However, in 2006, gut-instinct took over and we decided to plant despite initial findings. Science and wine are inextricably linked, but - as Boot Hill shows - sometimes on-paper analysis can bear little resemblance to the real life of a vine. In a marginal climate such as the UK, ripeness is king in sparkling wines. It's even more important in still-wine production. It's no accident that most of our still-wine grapes come from Boot Hill. We’ve isolated Burgundian clones in particular blocks that benefit from increased ripeness and these are set aside for still wine production. Base wines from Boot Hill often show a richness, weight and muscularity we don't see in other wines – and often a very discernible mineral character too. Read more about our Boot Hill vineyard > https://bit.ly/3xw4XdC

EN PRIMEURS 2023 - CHÂTEAU CLINET RELEASE Located in the heart of the Pomerol appellation, Château Clinet and its famous gravel plots constitute one of the most beautiful references in Pomerol. This property on the right bank of Bordeaux was bought in 1999 by the Laborde family. A benchmark among the great Pomerol wines, Château Clinet watches over an exceptional vineyard of 9.8 hectares in production on a clay-gravel terroir. The vineyard is managed using sustainable agriculture. A mild winter gave way to a spring marked by an episode of frost without impact on a vineyard in the early vegetative stage. Then mild conditions, punctuated by some rain, favor rapid growth of the vines as well as rapid and early flowering. If summer begins with an alternation of sunny and rainy days, the heat peaks recorded at the end of August and the beginning of September ensure good ripening of the berries. CHÂTEAU CLINET 2023 - POMEROL - Rouge Blend: 75% Merlot - 25% Cabernet Sauvignon 93-95+ Points Jeb Dunnuck 94-95 Points Robert Parker 94-96 Points Vinous 95-96 Points James Suckling #LuxFineWines #GreatestWinesOfTheWorld #LuxaviationFineWines

Fruit set in vineyards refers to a crucial stage in grapevine development where fertilized flowers begin to develop into berries. This process, influenced by factors like weather, soil health, and vineyard management practices, directly impacts grape yield and quality. At Dutton Estate vineyards, meticulous care during fruit set ensures optimal conditions for grape development, setting the stage for exceptional wines. 🍇🌿 #ViticultureInsights #DuttonEstate #SonomaWines #WineCountryEducation

Welcome to 2024! To get the new year started on the right foot, let's examine wine industry trends of the recent past, which are expected to gather strength in the coming new year. One of interest to me as a wine grower and maker in a cool grape-growing climate is the continued growth of wine-growing and winemaking of American hybrid grapes. Hybrid grapes are developed by crossing two or more Vitis grape species (European and American for example), which trend towards greater tolerance to weather extremes and disease. One of the six trends discussed in this article is the growth of vineyard acreage and winemaking in the eastern US. This specifically comes from a greater usage of hybrid grapes, and innovative placement and use of European grape varieties. The trend is not new to cooler grape-growing climates like in western Colorado, where weather extremes can eliminate entire vintages. As I discovered in Colorado's West Elks AVA (North Fork Valley—Paonia and Hotchkiss), several long-time growers in the past two years planted new vineyards of hybrids. This was in direct response to an extreme weather event in late October 2020, where after a mild fall the temperatures dropped for two successive nights to the mid to upper naughts. The extreme cold so early in the season before the vines were hardened off for winter, resulted in the near elimination of the 2021 Colorado vintage! A trend to watch, especially as climate change promoting warmer weather and extremes continues its forward march in the coming years. #westelksava #northforkvalley #coloradowine

Great article about Brassfield Estate Winery! "The 5,000-acre winery estate is a microclimate mosaic, shaped by elevation, sun exposure, and soil composition. Certain microclimates yield exceptional wines, like the extraordinary Malbec from the Volcano Ridge vineyard, located on the dormant Round Mountain Volcano’s slopes. The elevated valley floor, with its shorter growing season, produces world-class Sauvignon Blanc. The volcano significantly influences the vineyards’ terroir, with its potassium-rich volcanic soils crucial for healthy grape growth."