Hotel Viñas Queirolo: Wine grapevine life cycle

When we go in search for a good wine or a pisco for our table, surely some questions arise. For example, you have probably asked yourself what the wine grapevine life cycle is like: that is to say, what process does a grape go through before being turned into the most delicious wine or pisco? Because it is an annual process, it is divided into six stages. Learn more about them here!

Rest or Vegetative Repose

This stage covers the last month of autumn and much of winter. In this season, the plants’ leaves are opaque and orange in color; in colder territories, plants may even not have leaves and only appear as the shape of a trunk. In this period, there is less absorption of the nutrients present in the soil.

Pruning

This stage occurs between the months of August and September: in other words at the end of winter and the beginning of spring. In this season the leaves of the vine fall, and the branches are cut so that only the main trunk remains so that new leaves can begin to emerge in spring.

Sprouting

During the month of October, shortly after the beginning of spring, the plant begins to sprout leaves and small bunches of grapes. The development of the vine during this stage will depend on the amount of sun and water access.

Flowering Period

In this stage, which includes the month of November, we can already make out bunches of grapes, but they are not yet at their final size.

Curdling

Between the months of December and January, the bunches develop more until they take shape. In this period the quality of the grape is defined.

Harvest

This occurs between the months of February, March and April. In this stage, the best grapes are picked, selected and then processed. The process of harvesting grapes is called “vintage” or the grape harvest.

Some facts about the Vintage

The vintage, or harvest, is a true celebration in the areas where wines and piscos are produced. In Ica, the Harvest (Vintage) Festival has been held since 1958, although the harvest is a traditional festival that has been celebrated since colonial times. In addition to harvesting grapes from vines, the festival includes concerts, among other activities that attract a large number of tourists to the Ica region.

Hotel Viñas Queirolo is here for you year-round

Witnessing this whole process is a real privilege. Due to Hotel Viñas Queirolo’s ideal location (the only hotel located in the middle of a vineyard), you can take part in the entire wine growing processes, since the hotel is open to guests throughout all 12 months of the year.

Do not miss this opportunity: come enjoy nature and comfort in the best hotel in Ica.