Month to Month Calendar

Vineyard management is a complex process influenced by numerous factors, including specific grape varieties, soil type, microclimate, and vineyard size. This outline provides a general overview and should be adapted to your specific conditions.

Consulting with a local viticulture expert is highly recommended to ensure optimal vineyard management practices.

Understanding the Vineyard's Lifecycle 

Before diving into the monthly tasks, it's crucial to understand the general lifecycle of a grapevine:

• Dormant period: November to February
• Bud break: March to April
• Flowering: May to June
• Veraison: July to August (grapes begin to ripen)
• Harvest: September to October
• Post-harvest: November to February

January:

• Pruning and Training: Begin winter pruning, removing excess canes or spurs to shape the vine and control yield. Train new shoots and establish the desired vine structure. This is step 1 of the pruning.
• Vineyard Infrastructure: Inspect trellis systems, posts, wires, and irrigation infrastructure. Make necessary repairs or replacements.
• Soil Management: Monitor soil moisture levels and consider cover cropping to improve soil health and prevent erosion. In our Vineyard we do not use cover crops, so this is a time move around the mulch and control weeds.  
•  Equipment maintenance: Inspect and repair vineyard equipment, such as tractors, pruning shears, and sprayers. 
•  Weather monitoring: Keep track of weather conditions to anticipate potential frost or other challenges. 
• Planning and Budgeting: Review and refine your vineyard management plan for the year. Update budgets and assess resource requirements.

February:

• Pruning and Training: Now we start step 2 of pruning. Continue winter pruning, ensuring proper vine balance and canopy management. Train and tie new shoots. We use Vertical Shoot Positioning or VSP within our Vineyard. This is when we ensure all cordons and spurs are ready for the growing season.  
• Pest and Disease Management: Monitor for early signs of pests and diseases. Apply dormant sprays if necessary. Sprays are applied to the Trunks and Cordons. Many of the pests we experience lay eggs within the bark prior to bud break.
•  Fertilizer Application: Apply a balanced fertilizer based on soil test results. 
• Vineyard Floor Management: Control weeds and manage vegetation under the vines. Consider mowing or herbicide application. We maintain no cover crops in our vineyard. The hill/slope makes it difficult to controll a cover crop. 
• Irrigation Preparation: Inspect irrigation systems and ensure proper functionality. Prepare for upcoming irrigation needs.

March:

• Bud Break: Monitor for bud break and assess vine health. Address any issues promptly. 
• Fertilization (Cont): Apply pre-bud break fertilizers based on soil and tissue analysis results. 10-10-10 Fertilizer is used here in the Vineyard.
• Vineyard Floor Management (Cont): Control weeds and manage vegetation under the vines. Consider mowing or herbicide application. We maintain no cover crops in our vineyard. The hill/slope makes it difficult to controll a cover crop.
• Canopy Management: Begin shoot thinning and positioning to manage canopy density and sunlight exposure.
• Pest & Disease Prevention: Implement disease prevention strategies such as canopy management, fungicide applications, and scouting for disease symptoms.

April:

• Shoot Growth and Thinning: Continue shoot thinning and positioning to optimize canopy structure and airflow. 
• Water Management: Monitor soil moisture levels and adjust irrigation as needed. Consider drip irrigation for targeted water application.
• Weed Control: Implement weed control measures to prevent competition for water and nutrients. 
• Disease and Pest Monitoring: Continue scouting for pests and diseases. Apply necessary treatments based on monitoring results.

May:

• Flowering and Fruit Set: Monitor flowering and ensure proper pollination. Assess fruit set and thin clusters if necessary for balanced vine growth.
•  Crop thinning: Remove excess fruit clusters to improve grape quality and size. 
• Nutrient Management: Apply foliar sprays or soil amendments to address nutrient deficiencies identified through soil and tissue analysis.
• Canopy Management: Continue shoot positioning and thinning to maintain desired canopy structure and manage disease risks.
• Pest & Disease Control: Implement disease management strategies, including regular monitoring, fungicide applications, and cultural practices.

June:

• Canopy Management: Continue shoot positioning, leaf removal, and lateral shoot management to optimize sunlight exposure and airflow.
• Fruit Development: Monitor fruit development and adjust thinning if required for desired cluster size and grape quality.
• Irrigation Management: Monitor vine water requirements and adjust irrigation accordingly. Avoid excessive irrigation during ripening.
• Disease & Pest Monitoring: Monitor for pests such as insects and birds. Implement control measures as needed.

July:

• Veraison: Monitor for veraison, the color change in grapes indicating the onset of ripening. Assess vine health and fruit quality.
• Irrigation and Nutrient Management: Monitor water needs closely during ripening. Adjust irrigation and nutrient applications accordingly.
• Canopy Management: Continue leaf removal selectively to optimize light penetration and airflow around grape clusters. In our vineyard (Zone 10a) we do NO LEAF Removal. We try to keep all grapes covered to prevent sunburn.
• Disease & Pest Management: Maintain disease management practices, including regular monitoring, fungicide applications, and canopy management.

August:

•  Veraison and ripening monitoring: Closely monitor grape development and sugar levels. Brix Testing and PH Testing record numbers.
• Harvest Planning: Begin harvest planning, considering optimal harvest dates based on grape ripeness and winemaking goals.
• Crop Load Management: Monitor and adjust crop load to ensure vine balance and optimal fruit quality.
• Harvest Preparation: Prepare harvesting equipment, bins, and storage facilities. Perform maintenance and cleaning.
• Disease and Pest Monitoring: Monitor closely for disease pressure and implement control measures if necessary.

September:

• Harvest: This is very dependent on the quality of the grapes, checking BRIX and PH to determine optimal time for harvest. Commence grape harvest based on optimal ripeness levels. Ensure proper handling and transportation of harvested grapes.
• Post-Harvest Management: Clean and maintain equipment and facilities. Evaluate harvest quality and adjust winemaking plans accordingly.
• Cover Cropping: Consider cover cropping to protect and improve soil health during the dormant period.
• Vineyard Evaluation: Assess vineyard performance and yield. Document observations for future planning.

October:

• Harvest: In our Vineyard Harvest will fall into October depending on weather. Commence grape harvest based on optimal ripeness levels. Ensure proper handling and transportation of harvested grapes.
• Irrigation: Increase Irrigation immediately following Harvest. This builds strong plants and gets those roots growing nice and deep.  
• Leaf Fall and Dormancy: Monitor leaf fall and dormancy onset. Assess winterization needs for the vineyard. 
• Soil Preparation: Prepare soil for the next growing season through tilling, nutrient applications, and cover crop management.
• Pruning: Begin cane or spur pruning for the upcoming season. Train new shoots as needed. 
• Vineyard Infrastructure: Inspect trellis systems, posts, and wires. Make any necessary repairs or adjustments.

November:

• Pruning and Vineyard Clean-Up: Continue winter pruning to shape the vine and promote balanced growth. Remove pruned materials and vineyard debris.
• Soil Moisture Monitoring: Monitor soil moisture levels and consider irrigation if necessary to maintain adequate moisture during the dormant period.
• Equipment Maintenance: Perform maintenance and repairs on vineyard equipment to ensure readiness for the next season.
• Weather monitoring: Monitor for frost and winter storms.
• Recordkeeping: Review vineyard records and plan for the upcoming season.
• Vineyard Planning: Review and update vineyard management plans for the upcoming year. Order necessary supplies and materials.

December:

• Winterization: Protect vines from potential cold damage by applying winter protection measures such as mound soil around graft unions or using covers.
• Training and Education: Attend workshops or conferences to stay updated on industry trends, research, and best practices.
• Administrative Tasks: Complete administrative tasks such as record-keeping, budgeting, and permit renewals.
• Soil Testing: Collect samples and send in for testing. This will allow for anything missing in the soil to be added in Jan/Feb timeframe.
• Rest and Reflection: Take time to rest and reflect on the previous year's successes and challenges. Plan for personal and professional development in the upcoming year.

 Remember: This is a general guide. Adapt it to your specific vineyard conditions, grape varieties, and regional climate. 

Conclusion: Managing a wine vineyard throughout the year requires a month-to-month approach that considers seasonal activities, vine growth stages, and vineyard-specific requirements. By following a comprehensive calendar and considering key tasks and considerations for each month, vineyard owners and managers can optimize vine health, grape quality, and overall vineyard success.