Taming the beast

We need to keep our Sauvignon Blanc growing healthy but under control. Failing to do so will lead to wines with grassy tastes (“herbaceous” ) We use diverse techniques to tame the little beast. In the particular case of the Laughing Raven the fecund soil is our first challenge. We need to space vines and let them have a large canopy with sun light access. In this way a single trunk will feed a large canopy and will not be able to grow out of control. We have given to every vine a 7’ by 11’ parcel to grow and feed. That is rows are separated by 11’ and, in a given row, there is a 7’ space between vines.

We have also given the vines a very large “lyre” style trellis. This trellis exposes the double canopy to plenty of sun and gives plenty of room for the Sauvignon Blanc to grow in an orderly, controlled manner.

Sauvignon Blanc is truly a vigorous variety. In the pictures you see the vines after four weeks of growth. See those green branches! Also look at the suckers that cover most of the trunks. I cut all the suckers myself and although it was very satisfying…it was more work than I thought!