As autumn draws to a close and the grape harvest is already a memory, a new cycle begins in the vineyard. Maison Mumm entrusts the work of the vineyard to its 85 independent winegrowers called “travailleurs”, who are responsible for several plots over the course of a year.
The winegrowers begin winter work towards the end of October, after the leaves have started to fall. Until the end of March, they work on pruning, always done by hand. As Thierry Bidaut, Vineyard Manager, explains, “pruning is a crucial operation that helps prepare for the next harvest, but also the future of the plant”. Indeed, the vine is a liana that must be guided and whose vigor must be contained. The ultimate goal of winter pruning is therefore to promote maturity by guiding the growth of the vines.
The know-how of the laborers is essential to carry out these operations. At a glance, they identify the wood to be cut, keeping only two for each foot. It is a work of observation and experience that requires constant decision-making and flawless precision in the gesture. The remaining stems are then tied to the iron wires stretched in each row to guide their development.
Depending on the grape variety and the exposure of the plot, different types of pruning are chosen, always with the aim of promoting balanced growth of the bunches along the woods. In the vineyards of Maison Mumm, the Pinot Noirs are pruned in cordon de royat while for the Chardonnays, Chablis pruning is preferred.
