With the Ningxia harvest finished, and the last of the ferments finishing, it’s a race against time to get the vines ready for winter. But how many wino’s have heard of burying vines!
During the growing season Ningxia’s climate is ideally suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Gernicsht, Chardonnay and Merlot. It’s hot, dry and the season is long. However, during winter and vine dormancy the temperature plummets and the diurnal range (the temperature difference between night and day) is significant. Day temperatures can reach highs of 5-10c, but at night the temperature can fall to below -20c.
Although vines are robust, their cellular structure cannot handle low temperatures and swings in temperatures of this magnitude without some insulation would not be good for their health. To combat this, the vines are pruned, braided with neighbouring plants and covered with soil. Then in spring the plants are unearthed and tied to the trellis wires again!