Ever wondered how a grape transforms into the glass of wine you enjoy? The journey is a fascinating blend of nature, science, and craftsmanship. At Ivanhoe Wines, we nurture our vines through every stage of the grapevine’s life cycle as it shapes the character and quality of our wines. Here’s a glimpse into the typical cycle of a grape and how it culminates in the wine you love.
Leaf Drop: The Vineyard’s Autumn Rest
As autumn settles over the Hunter Valley, our grapevines shed their leaves in a colourful display. This natural process allows the vines to conserve energy for the colder months, storing nutrients in their roots. It’s a quiet, reflective time in the vineyard, marking the end of the growing season.
Winter Pruning: Setting the Stage
Once the vines are dormant, our vineyard team steps in for winter pruning. This meticulous process removes old growth and shapes the vines for the season ahead. By carefully selecting which canes to leave, we control the yield and ensure the quality of next year’s grapes.
Bud Burst: A Sign of New Life
As temperatures rise in early spring, the vines awaken. Buds begin to swell and burst, revealing tiny shoots that signal the start of a new growing season. It’s an exciting time filled with promise, as these buds hold the potential for the next vintage.
Leaf Growth: Building Energy
The shoots grow rapidly during spring, unfurling vibrant green leaves. These leaves are essential for photosynthesis, the process that converts sunlight into energy to nourish the developing vine. At this stage, the vineyard becomes a lush, green haven.
Flowering: The First Signs of Fruit
In late spring to early summer, tiny clusters of flowers appear. While they might not look like much, these flowers are vital—they’re the precursor to grapes! The vines rely on warm, dry weather for successful pollination, which sets the stage for fruit development.
Fruit Set: Grapes Begin to Form
Following pollination, the flowers transform into small, hard green berries. This is known as fruit set, and it’s when we start to see the first signs of the season’s crop. The berries grow steadily, developing structure and acidity.
Veraison: The Colourful Transformation
Midway through summer, the vineyard undergoes a dramatic change during veraison. Grapes shift from green to their final colour—white varieties turn golden, and red varieties take on deep hues. This stage marks the start of ripening as sugar levels increase and acidity softens.
Harvest: The Moment of Truth
Come late summer to early autumn, it’s time for harvest—the culmination of a year’s hard work. Our vineyard team carefully picks the grapes at their peak ripeness, ensuring the perfect balance of flavour, sugar, and acidity. Harvest days are busy, buzzing with excitement, as the fruit heads to the winery to begin its transformation into wine.
From Vine to Glass
Once the grapes are harvested, the winemaking process begins—pressing, fermenting, ageing, and blending. Each step is carefully managed to highlight the unique characteristics of the vintage and the Hunter Valley terroir. Stay tuned to our blog in January where we’ll explain the winemaking process!
At Ivanhoe Wines, every bottle tells the story of a year in the vineyard—a journey shaped by nature’s rhythms and our dedication to quality. Whether you’re enjoying a crisp white or a bold red, you’re tasting the culmination of a remarkable vine-to-wine cycle.
Want to learn more? Visit us at Ivanhoe Wines, where you can taste the results of this incredible process.
Explore our wines and book your visit today. Cheers! 🍷