Binyamina Winery - Israel Exporter

The grapes are changing color and the harvest countdown has begun. Assaf Paz 28.7.09

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Yesterday I returned from a two-day visit to Binyamina’s vineyards in the Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights. The veraison season is now coming to a close and this, more than anything else, marks the beginning of the countdown to harvest, which is usually calculated to take place from 40 to 55 days from the end of veraison – depending on the ripeness level required by the winemakers. Several processes occur simultaneously during the veraison stage of winegrowing, including: 1. A drastic increase in the grape’s sugar level, which continues to rise until the fruit reaches peak ripeness. 2. A rapid skin color change: the reds - from green to reddish black, and the whites: from an opaque plant-green to a translucent golden green. Pictures below: The gradual change of cluster colors in our quality vineyards in northern Israel – from the beginning of veraison at the beginning of July (right picture) to full veraison (left picture)

As we constantly strive to achieve ripening uniformity in order to enhance the quality of our wines, at this stage we remove clusters that are late in changing

their color. The remaining clusters will benefit from more intense color and flavors and, no less important, will be more uniformly ripe. Veraison is far less visible in white grapes, but the following two processes are clearly discernible: 1. Sugar accumulation and a drop in the fruit’s acid level. 2. A change in the grape’s aromatic profile according to each variety and the appearance of the desired aromas. For example: litchi and rose water in the Gewürztraminer variety which, according to the results of constant monitoring, will be harvested in the Kfar Tabor vineyard in the coming days. Pictures below: Clusters of Sauvignon Blanc from veteran vineyards in Kerem Ben Zimra – these grapes are destined for our most prestigious wine labels (right picture). Almost-ripe grapes in our Gewürztraminer vineyard – note the peach-colored fruit typical of this variety (left picture).

Picture: Shiraz grapes vineyard at the end of veraison – Mevo Hama vineyard in Tel Faras, Golan Heights

Shortly after veraison a specialist team of samplers visit each of our vineyards once every 4-7 days, where they collect fruit samples to be tested for ripeness. To a great extent the results of these tests help to determine precise harvest dates in each vineyard, according to the type of wine the grapes will be use to produce. This is the time to raise a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc, a Binyamina Reserve label wine, to a successful, quality and fruitful harvest.