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May is now in full swing, and work in the vineyards of Bodegas Arzuaga shows no signs of slowing down. The vine’s growth cycle continues, and it’s time for green pruning, a key practice in vineyard management aimed at enhancing grape quality by controlling vegetative growth. At Bodegas Arzuaga, this task is carried out with meticulous care, combining traditional viticulture with precision winemaking techniques to ensure excellence in every harvest. Because every detail matters.
Green pruning begins in May, when the vines start developing their foliage and shoots grow rapidly. At Arzuaga, the process involves several steps as shoot pruning, tipping, suckering, and cluster thinning. Each one plays a specific role: removing unwanted shoots that compete for nutrients, balancing the vine’s fruit load, and ensuring good sun exposure and airflow around the clusters.
One of the main goals of green pruning is to limit yields in order to concentrate sugars, polyphenols and aromas in the grapes. The winery is firmly committed to sustainable and quality-focused viticulture, which means reducing production per vine to obtain more balanced and expressive fruits. This approach is especially important in our most iconic plots, where every vine is tended with care and attention.
Green pruning also helps prevent fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and mildew by encouraging better air circulation between shoots and bunches. This manual work, carried out by skilled vineyard hands, reflects Arzuaga’s dedication to vine care as a cornerstone of its winemaking philosophy. The intervention always respects the plant’s natural cycle, seeking harmony between foliage and fruit.
Ultimately, green pruning at Bodegas Arzuaga is more than just a viticultural technique—it’s a reflection of our respect for the land and our constant pursuit of improvement. Thanks to these efforts, each harvest yields high-quality grapes that truly express the character of our terroir, giving life to wines that are elegant and structured with a great potential for ageing.
And as you know, we love welcoming you throughout every stage of the vine’s growth cycle. That’s why our doors are open so you can witness green pruning up close, and gain a deeper understanding of how this vital work shapes the great wines of Bodegas Arzuaga.