Summer is one of the most vibrant periods in the vineyard. It is the last stage before the harvest in which the vines complete their cycle.

Since spring, grapevines have dedicated themselves to growing healthy, drawing water and nutrients from the soil and taking advantage of the sun's light and warmth to create and ripen fruit, but it's in summer that the final stage of this journey takes place. After flowering, when the fruit begins to form, the grapes grow day by day. The summer heat and balanced amounts of sunlight are essential for their development, which is why, during this phase, the grapes are cleared, pruned and weeded. The first two are called green pruning and, together with weeding the bunches, they are characterized by being cultural operations that help to balance the quantity of leaves and select the best bunches, ensuring that the grapes receive everything they need in ideal quantities to ripen with quality.

During the ripening stage, there is a phase called “veraison“, which is when ripening accelerates and the grapes begin to take on color. They grow rapidly, filling with water and sugars, and begin to change color. Red grapes turn reddish, while white grapes become translucent and acquire golden tones. It is a visual spectacle, a true transformation of the vineyard throughout the summer and, as it is not common for all the grapes to change color at the same time, an incredible scenario of different tones is created in the vineyard. At this stage, winegrowers continue to closely monitor the health of the plants, as ripening is in full swing and with each passing day, the sugar level in the grapes rises, acidity decreases, phenolic compounds such as tannins increase, as well as varietal aromas and all the other compounds that will give rise to superior quality wines.

At the end of the ripening period, when the grapes reach the right point for harvesting, the harvest will take place and it is at this moment, after months of care, that all the work of the winegrower will translate into an excellent wine.

The culmination of the harvest occurs around the same time as the end of summer and is also one of the most exciting stages of the vineyard cycle.

Don’t miss the opportunity to live this unique experience!

Visit Quinta da Raza and follow the cycle of the vines closely at this magical time of year.