May is one of the most important months in the natural cycle of the vine. After bud break, which began in April, the vineyard enters a phase of active growth in which the canes develop rapidly and the leaves begin to expand, forming the vegetative structure of the plant. The landscape changes almost from one day to the next and the vineyards begin to take on an intense green color that heralds the arrival of a new season.
This year, moreover, the vegetative cycle began somewhat early in all of our estates. In mid-April, the vines were approximately fifteen days ahead of the usual season. However, the rains and lower temperatures recorded during the second half of April and the first days of May have slightly slowed vegetative development, reducing this initial advance to about one week.
A decisive month for the vineyard
This is a particularly important time for the vineyard because during these weeks a large part of the plant’s balance begins to be defined: the number of buds, the vegetative vigor and the future productive load. At the same time, it is also a delicate phase. The new future clusters are still tender and sensitive to any sudden weather episode, which is why May is usually experienced with constant vigilance in the field.
This month’s weather is usually characterized by great instability. Mild and sunny days alternate with heavy rains, storms and even hail. In the more continental areas, such as Rueda and Rioja, there is still a risk of late frosts. Rain is essential to ensure water reserves for the summer, but excess humidity or the violence of certain storms can compromise the correct development of the vineyard.
Each territory experiences this moment differently, conditioned by its climate, altitude, orientation and soil type. In projects such as Finca Valpiedra, Finca Montepedroso and Finca Antigua, May perfectly reflects how each landscape interprets the same moment of the vegetative cycle differently.
Finca Valpiedra
At Finca Valpiedralocated in one of the great meanders of the Ebro River, the winter and spring have been especially generous in rainfall. The presence of the river generates a very particular microclimate that helps to soften temperatures and favors a balanced vegetative development. The appearance of the vineyard is qualitative so far and everything points to the vegetation being especially lush this summer. However, this abundance of humidity also makes it necessary to intensify care against fungal diseases, one of the main challenges at this time of year. The work in the vineyard is now focused on the constant monitoring of each plot to maintain the sanitary balance and guarantee an adequate evolution of the plant during the coming weeks.
Finca Montepedroso
At Finca Montepedrosoin the heart of the Rueda DO at an altitude of 750 meters, the climate is more extreme. The winter, very generous in water, combined with a spring of mild temperatures, has allowed the vineyard to look spectacular. In addition, spring storms have hardly affected the estate this year, with no significant hail incidents or health problems.
These conditions allow us to foresee an extraordinary vegetative development in the coming weeks. In a variety such as Verdejo, so closely linked to the balance between freshness and ripening, spring rains are of enormous importance to face the hotter and drier summer months in good conditions.
Finca Antigua
For its part, Finca Antigua represents the most extreme of the three estates. Located at an altitude of over 900 meters in La Mancha, it has a slightly later vegetative cycle due to the climatic conditions resulting from its altitude. This winter has also been particularly rainy, which has led to a very vigorous bud break and a certain amount of vegetative advance.
Even so, it is still too early to know if this advance will also be transferred to the harvest, since the final development will depend on how the weather evolves in the coming months. In an environment as unique as Finca Antigua, each rainfall is of enormous value to ensure the water balance of the vineyard and to face the La Mancha summer with guarantees.
Work in the vineyard
In addition to the weather, May is also the time when the well-known green work begins. Tasks such as shoot selection, the elimination of unnecessary shoots and vigor control help to balance production and improve the aeration of the plant. These are silent tasks, carried out manually and with great precision, which will have a direct influence on the future quality of the grapes.
May marks the definitive transition from winter rest to full vineyard activity. It is a month of strength, growth and also of a certain vulnerability. A period in which every rainfall, every temperature and every decision in the field begins to write the history of the next vintage.
