The vineyard work in spring in Burgundy sets the rhythm for an entire season. At Pouilly-Fuissé, our Chardonnay vineyard gradually awakens after winter: buds open, young shoots lengthen, and each plot calls for careful observation. At Domaine Pascal Renaud, we work as closely as possible with the vine, taking into account its condition, the limestone soil of Solutré and the conditions specific to each day.

Spring is not a uniform period. Between the first mild days and the approach of flowering, the vine goes through several decisive stages. Our work consists less in applying an unchanging calendar than in accompanying this development with regularity, precision and measure.

Bud break, the first sign of spring in the vines

After the winter rest, bud break marks the visible start of the new growth cycle. The buds, formed the previous year and preserved by their scales during winter, swell and then reveal the first leaves. In our Pouilly-Fuissé vines, this phase is a reminder of how promising yet fragile spring can be.

From this moment on, we pay particular attention to the evolution of the weather. Young tissues are sensitive to low temperatures, especially during frosty nights. Temperature variations, humidity, wind or a plot's position in the landscape can create very different situations just a few hundred metres apart.

Observing does not simply mean watching the leaves come out. We walk the rows to assess the uniformity of bud break, spot any less vigorous buds and understand how each vine is starting off again. This on-the-ground reading informs the decisions made over the following weeks.

Monitoring spring frosts in Pouilly-Fuissé

The risk of frost is one of the major concerns of vineyard work in spring in Burgundy. When a cold night is forecast, attention turns to the temperatures, but also to the duration of the cold, the level of humidity and the topography. Exposed sectors do not all react in the same way.

Any damage does not always show itself immediately. A young shoot that has been affected may see its development slowed or compromised, while secondary buds can sometimes take over. We must then give the vine time to reveal its capacity to recover before drawing any conclusions.

In spring, the vine demands presence: forecasts are useful, but the plot remains our best indicator.

In a family vineyard, this vigilance is part of everyday life. It also reminds us of the element of uncertainty that accompanies every harvest: wine is born of patient work, but always in dialogue with the climate.

Debudding: guiding the growth of the Chardonnay

As the shoots develop, the time comes for debudding. This operation involves removing certain shoots deemed unnecessary, too weak or badly positioned on the vine. It helps to better organise the foliage, promote future aeration of the bunches and concentrate the vine's energy on the shoots that remain.

Debudding is a manual task that requires discernment. It is not about seeking absolute uniformity: each vine has its own history, vigour and place within the plot. We therefore adapt our approach according to the age of the vines, their health and the balance observed in spring.

  • maintaining a harmonious distribution of shoots;
  • avoiding excessive crowding of foliage;
  • making it easier to move through the rows during the season;
  • preparing favourable conditions for the ripening of the grapes.

This work helps shape the vineyard landscape, but above all it has a concrete effect on the microclimate around the bunches. Well-managed foliage allows air to circulate more freely and makes health monitoring easier throughout the summer.

Maintaining the soil and cover crops at the foot of Solutré

In spring, life is not only at play in the shoots. It also continues beneath the vines and between the rows. In our southern Burgundy, the limestone soils of Solutré contribute to the identity of our cuvées; caring for them attentively is therefore an essential part of vineyard work.

Depending on the plot, we observe the growth of the grass, the condition of the soil surface and the needs of the vine. A plant cover can help structure the ground and preserve its load-bearing capacity, while considered soil tillage can limit competition around the vines' base. There is no single answer: the available moisture, the vigour of the vine and the season guide our choices.

Spring is also when the soil's biological activity becomes more intense. Earthworms, roots, micro-organisms and spontaneous vegetation each contribute, at their own scale, to the functioning of this environment. Our role is to seek a balance that supports the vine over the long term, rather than imposing an artificial rhythm upon it.

Lifting and training the young shoots

As the shoots lengthen, they must be guided between the trellis wires. Shoot positioning keeps the foliage in a more upright position and prevents the shoots from bending under the effect of wind or rain. This work also improves access to the rows and prepares for the interventions to come.

Trellising is not a mere tidying gesture. By distributing the shoots, it helps maintain functional foliage and clearer bunch zones. Light and air thus circulate more evenly within the canopy, without seeking to expose the grapes excessively.

These operations are repeated several times during the season, sometimes at the fast pace of spring growth. A warm, humid period can accelerate development; cool or dry weather slows it down. Here again, observation takes precedence over any date fixed in advance.

Protecting the vineyard: preventing and observing

The tender vegetation of spring is sensitive to various hazards. Humidity can encourage certain vine diseases, while warm, dry conditions call for other forms of vigilance. We monitor weather conditions, the state of the leaves and local alerts in order to intervene in a considered manner when necessary.

Prevention begins with cultural practices: well-aerated foliage, accessible rows and frequent observation make it possible to spot any unusual development earlier. Protection decisions are made as part of an overall approach, taking into account the vine's stage of development, the pressure observed and short-term forecasts.

This monitoring calls for responsiveness. The same week can bring rain, wind, mildness and coolness in turn; these variations directly influence the vine's behaviour. This is why fieldwork remains irreplaceable, even when weather tools provide valuable indicators.

Flowering, a decisive milestone for the future harvest

At the end of spring, the inflorescences gradually transform: flowering approaches. The small vine flowers are discreet, but this stage is fundamental since it paves the way for the formation of the future grapes. For Pouilly-Fuissé's Chardonnay, it is one of the most closely watched milestones of the year.

Flowering takes place under good conditions when the weather is sufficiently mild, dry and not too windy. Conversely, cool or rainy spells can disrupt the fertilisation of certain flowers. The vine may then show coulure or millerandage, with less regular bunches and berries of differing sizes.

We do not seek to force this moment: flowering follows the physiology of the plant and the conditions of the sky. Our attention consists in noting its progress, monitoring the plots and preparing for the next stage of the cycle. After it come fruit set, berry growth and then the summer work.

How does vineyard work unfold in spring?

Vineyard work in spring unfolds in stages: monitoring bud break and frost risks, debudding, soil maintenance, shoot lifting and health monitoring. At Pouilly-Fuissé, we adapt these tasks to each Chardonnay plot, because the rhythm of the vine depends as much on the weather as on its terroir and its own balance.