Nothing going on in the vineyard? Not at all!
As quiet as it may seem between the vines now – on closer inspection there is a lot going on. Not only we, but also our vines are enjoying the pleasant spring weather and start budding. While the buds were still in the “wool stage” last week, the first ones are already sprouting this week and unfolding their delicate leaves.
For our vineyard team led by Michel Städter, this is the time to set out pheromone traps. These are a natural solution without the use of insecticides to protect the vines and later their fruit against the grape berry moth, which would otherwise mate and lay its eggs in the vineyard. The method is also known as the “confusion method” because it works as follows: The small red-brown ampoules contain the pheromones of the female grape berry moth and by spreading them throughout the vineyard, and even the entire region, a cloud of pheromones is created. The male grape berry moths no longer find the females due to this overstimulation – they leave the vineyard, and no mating takes place there.
But we can observe other insects in the vineyard, such as bees and butterflies. They enjoy the green alleys and the various flowering plants, which not only have an above-ground benefit for the insects, but also an underground benefit for the soil. Generally speaking, greening promotes soil fertility and the build-up of humus, which is of great importance for the healthy growth of vines. In addition, certain plant roots ensure that the soil structure is stabilized: rain can seep away better and the risk of erosion is reduced. A distinction is made between summer and winter planting. A popular winter greening is the bright yellow flowering rapeseed. On the one hand, it is beneficial to bees and on the other, its long taproots ensure that the soil is loosened. Loose soil is initially important for intact soil life and the absorption of rainwater and later in the year for a good supply of nutrients for our vines. So that we can harvest healthy grapes for our wines again this year.
On your next visit to Schloss Johannisberg, we cordially invite you to take a walk through our vineyards and you will see – there is a lot to discover at this time of the year!