Veraison: When the Vine Starts to Show Its True Colors
A Visible Turning Point
Veraison marks the point when grapes begin to color: red varieties turn deep purple, while whites shift from green to golden yellow. It's a true shift in pace—the plant stops growing the berries and begins to focus entirely on their ripening.
This transformation doesn’t happen all at once, nor everywhere at the same time. It usually spreads over ten days or more, depending on the grape variety, the plot, and the weather. Watching a bunch go through veraison is like witnessing a living painting evolve day by day.
A Key Moment for the Grape
At this stage, the vine enters a new phase. The berries no longer grow in size—they begin to concentrate. Acidity gradually drops, sugars increase, flavors start to emerge. The skin thickens slightly, and aromas begin to develop. Each cluster slowly makes its way toward ripeness, color, and complexity.
But nothing is set in stone yet. Weather, the plant’s balance, and overall health all play a role. Everything can still shift—for better or for worse.
Preparing Without Rushing
This is when we start to have a sense of the harvest date. Nothing is set, but we begin refining the schedule, keeping a close eye on the ripest plots. We taste, we observe, and we track the evolution day by day.
Every detail matters—a heat spike, an untimely rain, and everything can speed up or be delayed. This is a time for constant monitoring, where we stay ready to adapt. Veraison is the beginning of the countdown.
The Vigneron’s Watchful Eye
For us winegrowers, veraison is a precious indicator. It allows us to start fine-tuning the harvest date, adjust vineyard management if needed, carry out final green work, or simply support the vine if it starts showing signs of fatigue.
Each plot is closely monitored. We taste, we observe, we adjust. Veraison is not a time to rest—it's a strategic step in building the vintage.
A Scene Worth Witnessing
Veraison is also a stunning sight to behold as you stroll through the vines. It's the only stage when the vine reveals itself so clearly—not just as a plant growing, but as a grape in the making, full of color and promise.
On your next visit to the estate, take a moment to look closely. Let yourself be surprised by this silent yet spectacular transformation. Behind every shade of violet or gold lies an entire vintage in the making—slowly, surely.