Your month-by-month guide to what is happening in Franschhoek’s vineyards
January: Cellar prepared for pressing season
February: Harvest time
March: Harvest time
April: Prepare new vineyards
May: General maintenance
June: Pruning after leaves have fallen
July: Pruning and planting
August: Ploughing in of cover crop
September: Trellising and spring fertilizer
October: Tipping: the removal of the first 2-5 cm of growing shoot to enhance development and allowing the fruit to set better
November: Topping: the removal of 15-25 cm of a young growing shoot, by hitting it off with a strong switch or thin stick, to allow good air circulation and prevent disease
December: Irrigation, hedging and disease control