During the growing season, the canopy is actively managed.

To maintain the vineyard during the growing season, important choices are made involving canopy management by trimming back leaves from the bundles of grapes. We also actively manage irrigation and control vine vigor.

The purpose of canopy management is to achieve optimum leaf and fruit exposure to the sun while decreasing the risk of disease and maintaining the intended quality-to-yield ratio.

Our leaf thinning strategy centers around the principle that controlled vine vigor and greater sun exposure results in higher quality grapes. Since the sun is stronger when it is setting, more leafing is done on the eastern side to expose grapes to more light and more leaves are left on the western side for more protection.

Some results of our latest studies regarding sun exposure:

• Light is of crucial importance to bud fertility; the light received during the preceding season determines the fertility in the current year;

• It has a direct impact on the wine’s aroma and color;

• Increased evaporation due to greater sun exposure results in higher concentration of the berries; and

• It helps develop the red color in the berry skins which plays a strong role in the wine’s character.

The dry climate in the Uco Valley means the grapes are less likely to rot and can be harvested later. Great harvest, great wine.