Winter in the Winery
While the weather cools down in the Hunter Valley, the work certainly does not! Although it might not be the fast-paced buzz of Vintage during summer, Winter is as crucial as any other season in the world of wine. Take a look at what is happening at Brokenwood in these dormant few months below.
The Winery
Inside the winery, winter is all about finessing the hard work that went into Vintage and refining the wines as they continue to develop. To ensure the very best quality, our Cellar Cru are constantly checking barrels, tanks and all vessels to keep the wine progressing in pristine condition. Some of the tasks associated are; barrel topping to replace liquid lost due to evaporation and to reduce the risk of oxidisation. Another is tasting and assessing all wines to ensure they are doing what they need to. Blends are also refined, and the previous vintage is bottled and prepared for release. These meticulous tasks are essential to producing the quality and consistency that defines every bottle of Brokenwood.
The Vineyard
Out in the vineyard, winter is the season of preparation and revival. Cover crops are grown in between every second vine row to improve soil health by returning valuable nutrients and breaking up the soil profile. Cover crops are plants grown between or under grapevine rows to improve soil health, manage vine vigour, and boost biodiversity. Pruning is done to strip each vine back to its main structure. This careful work helps control vine growth and sets the foundation for healthy fruit development when spring arrives. Workers use hand tools like secateurs and loppers to cut away last year’s old wood and canes. This controls vine size and ensures healthy fruit growth in spring.
