Winter

Between love and care

From November, after the vine started dormancy, it is the time for preparatory pruning which consists of removing unnecessary branches to facilitate spring pruning. Subsequently, the cut branches are burnt in a wheelbarrow.

This wheelbarrow is often manufactured with a bicycle wheel and an armature of iron pipes on which a metallic container is placed; it is cut lengthwise and opened, and the bottom is drilled so that air can circulate and feed the fire and for the evacuation of the ashes.

Before its starts to get really cold, a special type of ploughing is done, called ridging, to protect the vines from winter frost and help loosen the soil.

According to Burgundian tradition, the spring pruning of the vines never starts before St Vincent day, the patron saint of wine makers, on 22nd of January.