Learn how Mumana Vineyards is navigating the environmental risks of planting vinifera grapes like Chardonnay and Riesling. Explore the impact of polar vortexes, the importance of choosing the right rootstock, and key strategies for protecting vines during their first critical years. Discover why vinifera is essential to Mumana’s future.

At Mumana Vineyards, we’ve been keeping a close eye on our new Itasca vines. These are young vines that were planted after the 2023 polar vortex killed off much of our Chardonnay vines. Most of the new Itasca have reached the first wire, although a few have shot right up to the top wire. Now… Read more: Removing Vine Guards: An Exciting New Step for Our Itasca Vines

Thinning, or “dropping” clusters, is a vital vineyard management technique that balances the vine’s load. By removing some grape clusters, we allow the remaining grapes to develop more fully, delivering better ripeness, more concentrated flavours, and an overall higher quality harvest. This process also gives the vine the chance to focus its resources on fewer clusters, leading to healthier grapes with optimal sugar content and flavour profiles.