August brings clear skies and chilly mornings to the valley, along with one of the most important tasks of the year: pruning.
It may look straightforward, but it is one of the most skilful and thoughtful jobs in the vineyard. For thousands of years, growers have known that the way a vine is cut determines both the quality and the quantity of its fruit. Some even say the practice began when a donkey nibbled wild vines, and the villagers noticed how much better they grew the following season. However it began, pruning remains as vital now as it was then.
What makes it so compelling is that no two vines are alike. Each has its own age, vigour, and shape. Our vineyard specialists, guided by Christo, approach them with a mix of skill and intuition. They are not merely cutting what they see before them but visualising what that vine will look like in two, three, or even ten years’ time.
At Oldenburg, we talk about “thinking like a vine.” It means working with empathy and foresight. It is about understanding what a plant needs now while also anticipating what will help it thrive in the future. A good pruning campaign focuses on two essentials: shaping the canopy so the vine has the right balance of sunlight and airflow, and making clean, minimal cuts that keep the plant healthy for years to come. Each decision leaves a lasting imprint on the vineyard.
There is also a rhythm to it. The vines are dormant now, resting before spring’s surge of growth, and our team works carefully within that short window. It is quiet, unhurried work, though with fifty thousand vines to prune there is still a race against time.
Ultimately, pruning is a legacy exercise. The way we cut today determines the resilience of the vineyard tomorrow and the quality of wine in the years ahead. This winter, it has been remarkable to watch Christo and the team at work. Their ability to read the future of a vine has become instinctive, a blend of skill and respect for the plant.
That, to me, is the true art of pruning.
