Wine Diary
A Leisurely Bud Break
April remained cool, except for a brief warm spell around Easter. Last Friday, it even snowed briefly again. However, the few slightly frosty nights posed no danger to our vineyards. Most of the buds on the shoots were still safely tucked away in their protective (‘wool’) cocoons. Currently, temperatures in Kamptal are back to seasonal norms.
The vines are still “bleeding,” meaning that the nutrient-rich water that has begun to flow through the sap channels is emerging at the fresh cut surfaces and dripping to the ground. Budbreak has already begun in many places, but it is somewhat hesitant, partly because conditions are slowly becoming a bit dry. This has its advantages, as even colder nights are still a possibility, and the higher the young shoots grow, the more damage a late frost could cause. Our hail nets are now being rolled out. They also provide good protection for the young buds against wildlife browsing.
