Each vineyard has its own identity and it is, therefore, important to treat each one individually. We plough a little or a lot, depending on the amount of oxygenating and ventilation that a particular soil type needs, and we thin the vine leaves a little or a lot, depending on the amount of ventilation that each grape variety needs. We carry out all of these tasks in accordance with celestial influences (moon, planets) to respect each appropriate biodynamic state.
The cycle
Pruning. This is where the life cycle starts. The vines rest after the harvest. Winter. Now is the time to think about the next harvest. To do that, we need to start pruning the vines. Each variety is pruned differently. The next harvest will depend upon how the vines were pruned, and so it must be done with the utmost care.
Once spring is fully underway, the vines start to bud. In order to air the grapes and allow the sunlight to ripen them properly, we need to eliminate some leaves and buds so that the grapes can develop as healthily as possible. This is known as green pruning. From this point onwards, we wait until the harvest. During this time, we may remove some grapes, especially during years when the yield is exceptionally high. We also monitor the vines closely to ensure that there no diseases flourish until harvest time.
The time has come. Harvest. We only pick the grapes when they have reached the perfect point of ripeness following a careful technical and grape taste testing in the vineyards.
Once the harvest is over, the vineyards begin to change colour and just as one cycle ends, another begins. The hectic summer months give way to months of tranquility, when we cut the weeds and grass down in order to maintain the vineyards until pruning, when the new cycle will starts all over again.
-
PruningThe cycle starts hereThis process starts the vine's life cycle. Pruning consists of cutting the spurs of the vine so that it will grow and yield correctly. Each grape variety is pruned in a different way because they have their own unique characteristics and needs. It's during pruning time that we determine whether or not the grapes from this vine will be used to make base wine for our sparkling wine or still wine for the DO Penedès.
-
Green pruningAiring the vinesGreen pruning or thinning is carried out during the months of spring. It involves the removal of some vine leaves and buds to enable the grapes to breathe better and gain better ventilation. Green pruning varies from one variety to another, and also depends on the vineyard location and orientation as microclimate plays a big part in the ripening of the grapes. Therefore, these factors determine how much sun and ventilation are required for the grapes.
-
HarvestingTime to pick the grapesWe start picking the first Chardonnay grapes toward the end of August and we pick the last Petit Verdot grapes at the beginning of October. We decide when to harvest once our oenologist has carried out a series of tests in the laboratory to ascertain the pH level, the acidity and the probable sugar level. Once we are satisfied with the results of these tests, we then taste the grapes, paying special attention to the flesh, the skin and the seeds, especially in the case of the red grapes. Finally, we pick the grapes. We do this in the very cool early hours of the morning to avoid oxidisation and to respect the very best ripening times of each variety.
-
Vine treatmentsMildew, powdery mildew (oidium) and grapevine mothWe practice organic and biodynamic farming methods, and in order to fight two of the three most common vine diseases - mildew and powdery mildew (oidium) - we use very low concentrations of copper and sulphur as regulated by the CCPAE (Catalan Council of Organic Production). In addition to this, we apply a variety of biodynamic preparations containing silica such as preparation 501, which helps to reduce the amount of copper and sulphur used. In order to combat the grapevine moth, we use pheromones to sexually confuse it and prevent it from laying eggs on the grapes.