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Suddenly there is new life everywhere. |
On the first of September (or a few days earlier or later) the vines start to grow: "Bud Burst" or "Bud Break" - the most exiting time in the vineyard. |
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The annual miracle of new leaves bursting from old vines, so tender they break off at the slightest touch.... |
| endangered by frost, hail, wind, birds, insects..... |  |
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| but nevertheless growing daily. |  |
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In the southern hemisphere there are September hares rather than March hares... |
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then there are baby hares, slow and clumsy as new-born kittens, eventually growing into woolly little toddler hares... |  |
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and then into strapping young hares with fantastic acceleration and speed. Hares are no problem in a mature vineyard, but can be devastating among young vines, cutting them off at ground level. |
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| Birds, young and old are now everywhere. Here a young Spinebill family has taken residence in the Pinot noir. |  |
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Shoot thinning starts as soon as possible. All unwanted shoots have to be removed. Once the leaves grow bigger it will be more difficult to see which shoots to remove and work is much slower. |  |
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| © Sarsfield Estate |  |
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