Marlborough Autumn time

Marlborough Autumn time is a busy period of the year. There are over 30,00 hectares (75 Acres) of vines in Marlborough. All of these vines need pruning in Autumn or Winter to prepare them for the next vintage. Autumn is a beautiful time of year with sunny days and the snow arriving on the surrounding hills and mountains. However, no snow settles on the vines.

Note: Check out this article here for Blenheim in the Winter Time.

A view of the vines in the Brancott Valley on the south side of the main Wairau Valley. One of the thousands of vineyards that need pruning, therefore we need many workers.

Marlborough Autumn time 4 cane vertical shoot positioning example before being pruned taken during a wine tour

Pruning has started in Marlborough

Some more pictures

Stage one of pruning. The workers put cuts in the vine, and hence remove the old wood by hand or machine. When the old wood is stripped from the vine it is put between the rows and then mulched so therefore the goodness returns to the soil.

A vine after the old wood has been stripped. Once stripped the pruners return to the vines to finish the job

Marlborough Autumn time 2 cane vertical shoot positioning example. The workers wrap the canes around the fruiting wire, cut to length, and tie to the wire. The workers prune in a methodology called vertical shoot positioning (vsp), hence, allowing for variable production. We need only 1 fruiting wire for 2 cane vsp. Taken during an Autumn wine tour

Example of 3 cane vsp. In this case there are 2 fruiting wires along the canopy. This can lead to higher production than 2 cane vsp. Taken during an Autumn wine tour.

Marlborough Autumn time example of 4 cane vsp. As with 3 can vsp it needs 2 fruiting wires, therefore, can lead to the highest fruit production.

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology offer courses in viticulture and wine making.

Some other views from around the region

Sheep in the vines. Natures lawn mowers. Marlborough Autumn time vines after harvest View of the atmospheric Wither Hills taken from Lawsons Dry Hills Cellar Door Winter on the way during a wine tour A view of the Waihopai valley during a winter wine tour

In conclusion, to book a Marlborough wine tour or for further information visit either our group tour page or our Private wine tour page.