Spring is a time of nature awakening – and in the vineyards, this is doubly true. As soon as the last snow melts and the soil begins to warm up, one of the most intense periods of the year begins for winegrowers. Pruning, tying, protecting the vines… and also establishing new vineyards. This year, most of the work took place in the U Sýpky vineyard in Milotice, which stretches directly in front of our winery. And it was there that the new rows of future vineyards were created.
Establishing a vineyard may seem like a mechanical activity at first glance, but in reality, it is a process where modern technology meets traditional human supervision and care.
How is a new vineyard born?
At the very beginning, there is still just a bare field. A GPS station is installed in it, determining the exact lines where the new rows will be planted. Thanks to the connection with modern equipment in the tractor, we can monitor the planting work with millimeter precision. GPS helps us ensure that the rows will be perfectly straight – which has not only an aesthetic meaning but also a practical one: it makes further work easier, such as mechanical maintenance, soil cultivation, or harvesting.
Behind the tractor is attached a planting device with two planters sitting on it. They insert the young seedlings into the planting wheel. Before planting, however, each seedling is treated; the root system is dipped into a solution of the preparation Kelpak.
It is a natural biostimulant based on seaweed (Ecklonia maxima) that supports root formation, increases plant resistance, and helps seedlings establish themselves better in the soil. We consider this step an important foundation for successful rooting and subsequent growth.
The entire process is managed and supervised by a controller. He monitors the correct placement of the heads, checks for gaps, and, if necessary, performs manual planting where the machine would fail. Each seedling must be firmly anchored in the soil, at the correct depth, and with the ideal angle – all these are factors that determine its establishment, growth, and future fertility.
From one seedling, years of work and care
After planting, a thorough inspection of the rows follows. The straightness of the heads, the contact of the root system with the soil, and the overall planting must be perfect. It is right now that it is decided what potential the vineyard will have in a few years. The first fruits usually come after three to four years. That is why we give each seedling the maximum care.
All seedlings are supplied by the company Kraus, a long-term and proven partner. The quality of the starting material is the basis of success.
This year, in addition to the new rows of Moravian Muscat, Sauvignon, and Chardonnay in Milotice, we also planted the André variety in the vineyard in Mutěnice. We also established rows of Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, and Müller Thurgau in Ratiškovice.
Planting a vineyard is more than just an agricultural activity – it is an investment in the future. From each seedling, a cluster can grow in a few years, and from each cluster, a unique wine. But only time, care, and patience will show what quality the new vineyards will bring us.
You can see our work in the photos from this year’s planting. And in a few years, maybe with a glass of wine from these young plants, we will gladly remember this spring morning.
