After the frantic activity of harvest, as temperatures drop and the bare vines rest peacefully in the Bendigo region, you may wonder what winemakers get up to in winter.
The onset of cold weather triggers a period of dormancy for grapevines. During this time, winemakers neaten up the vineyard and prune the vines as they take a well-earned nap.
In winter, winemakers also take a much-needed break and usually head away on holiday for some R&R. While they’re away, the grapes are fermenting, ready to be bottled in the next 6 to 18 months.
Winter is a great time to visit our wineries and we’ve got Barrel Tasting Weekend in July, so you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process and taste the wines maturing in barrels. It’s also a great time to settle by the fire and enjoy a bottle of red. Enjoy!
From Wes Vine, President, Bendigo Winegrowers Association
