The winemaking cycle is a continuous process that never stops, and each season brings new expectations and challenges. At Bodegas Álvarez Alfaro, we find ourselves at a crucial moment for the 2025 harvest: winter.
While it is a season of rest for the plant, the work in the vineyard is essential to ensure a high-quality harvest. Today, we invite you to learn how we prepare our vineyards during these cold months and how every decision influences the future harvest.
The Vineyard in Winter: A Necessary Rest
During winter, the vines enter a period of rest, protecting them from extreme temperatures and allowing them to regenerate. The leaves fall, sap flow stops, and while the vineyard may appear dormant, it is actually accumulating energy for what is to come. The roots continue to work, absorbing nutrients and ensuring the plants are ready for spring.
This “rest” is essential for the health of the vineyard as it allows the vines to recharge before they begin to bud with the arrival of the new season. Therefore, winter is a key time to plan and make decisions about future harvests.
Pruning: The Foundation of a Good Harvest
One of the most important tasks we perform during this period is pruning. This process involves trimming the vines to remove old shoots. Pruning is also crucial to control the amount of grapes each plant can produce, which directly impacts the quality of the harvest.
At Bodegas Álvarez Alfaro, we ensure that each vine is pruned with precision so that it focuses on producing healthier, higher-quality bunches. This task is not just about aesthetics or order but is a strategy to optimize the vigor of the vines, balance the production, and allow each bunch to mature uniformly.
With pruning now complete, we focus on the decisions that will shape the 2025 vintage. During winter, our technicians and winemakers closely monitor the condition of each vineyard plot. We observe the behavior of the plants, the soil’s water reserves, and any signs of pests or diseases that may have carried over from the previous season.
In addition, winter is a good time to analyze weather forecasts, as climatic conditions play a crucial role in the future of the harvest. If the cold is too intense or rainfall is insufficient, we take measures to protect the vineyards and ensure the vines do not suffer irreparable damage.
As we move forward in preparing for the 2025 harvest, our goal remains the same: to obtain grapes of the highest quality. All the work done in winter, from pruning to the constant evaluation of the vineyard, is aimed at ensuring that each bunch develops under the best possible conditions.
At Bodegas Álvarez Alfaro, we are committed to both tradition and innovation, using environmentally-friendly cultivation methods as well as cutting-edge technologies. This allows us not only to care for our vineyards but also to ensure that each bottle that leaves our winery reflects the effort, dedication, and love we put into our wines.
While the 2025 harvest still seems far off, the work done during these cold months will be crucial in achieving the success we seek. We know that with each passing season, our wine will continue to improve, harvest after harvest. The 2025 vintage is already underway, bringing with it the promise of new flavors, aromas, and experiences. We will continue to work diligently, always focused on offering the best from our vineyards to all those who enjoy our wines.
We will continue working diligently, always focused on offering the best from our vineyards to all those who enjoy our wines. See you at the next harvest!
