What Are the Duties of a Vinedresser?

Preparing the Ground

• Vineyard site preparation consumes a considerable amount of time, typically beginning the year before planting. Vinedressers collect and prepare soil samples for analysis. After confirming appropriate physical and chemical soil properties, vinedressers begin plowing, sub-soiling, land leveling, weeding, installing drainage and making fertility adjustments.

Marking Out the Vineyard

• Row spacing is a vital component to a successful vineyard. Vigorous vine growth influences row width, as does the pruning method used. An experienced vinedresser understands the effect of row direction on productivity and incorporates this knowledge in marking out the vineyard. He will map the vineyard so that the highest number of leaves receive direct sunlight, which ensures optimum photosynthesis, pest control and grape coloration.

Bending the Bows

• During late spring or summer, vinedressers remove old vines and train new vines. Old vines become brittle and nonproductive, requiring replacement. To replace them, vinedressers start new vines between existing vines in early summer. The small vines start out tied with a string on the top wire of the grape row to encourage growth in a prominent, flourishing plant. The vinedresser stretches the newly producing vine until it reaches the ground, at which time he covers it with dirt. He continues reinforcing the remaining vine length at the top with another string until it grows into a sturdy base vine.

Making Wine

• Today’s vinedressers observe grape growth to the point where they become wine-making experts. Understanding plant biology, physiology, pathology and soil fertility make the vinedresser successful in his quest for high-quality wine production. Vinedressers gather grapes when very ripe, picking off unsound and unripe fruits. He either mashes fruitful bunches in a mashing tube or presses them through a mill. Immediately after mashing, the vinedresser begins the fermentation process in a cool cellar.