Harvest 2022, the Vintage of the Century?
The year 2022 will forever be etched in the memories of winemakers in the Vully Fribourgeois region. This year’s harvest was characterized by exceptional quality and quantity, thanks to a favorable end of the season. In this article, I will explain our wine-growing year and take you through the 2022 harvest at Cave Guillod to explore this prosperous vintage.
The Challenges of the Season
The 2022 growing season was not without its challenges, especially due to an intense heatwave that hit the region during the summer, testing young plantations. Indeed, vines in their first 2-3 years don’t yet have roots deep enough to survive a heatwave without damage. At Cave Guillod, like other winemakers in the region, we took exceptional measures to save the vines by irrigating them.
Irrigation systems were set up to maintain soil moisture, thus protecting the vine roots from the heat. Thanks to these efforts, we were able to preserve our young plantations.
The Harvest
Thanks to excellent vine care throughout the season and some much-needed rain in early September, we benefited from a beautiful harvest in both quality and quantity. The harvest, which began after the Vully Harvest Festival on September 20th, provided us with exceptional fruits, featuring high sugar content and good acidity in the grapes. By mid-August, we feared that the berries would remain small due to the lack of water. But nature did its job with timely rain, allowing the fruit to swell. Our various grape varieties—Freiburger, Merlot, Traminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Divico, Pinot Noir, Chasselas, and Pinot Gris—arrived at the cellar in abundance and of excellent quality.
The harvest team
An exceptional harvest would not be possible without a motivated team of harvesters. At Cave Guillod, this team consisted of people from various backgrounds, bringing their skills and enthusiasm to the 2022 harvest.
The good atmosphere during the harvest was palpable. The harvesters worked together with efficiency and harmony, sharing moments of joy and camaraderie. Each person made a valuable contribution to the harvest, ensuring that every grape cluster was picked with care and respect.
A Frequently Asked Question: Do We Still Harvest by Hand?
A recurring question regarding the harvest is whether it’s done by hand or by machine. At Cave Guillod, the answer is a resounding yes. Hand harvesting is a tradition that is dear to the winemakers of the region.
Handpicking allows the harvesters to carefully select the grapes, removing damaged or under-ripe ones. This ensures superior quality and meticulous grape selection. Additionally, handpicking helps preserve winemaking traditions and maintains a strong connection to the land and the fruit of the vine.
Now Onto Winemaking
In a few months, I invite you to discover and taste the 2022 vintage from Cave Guillod. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who made this vintage possible, from employees to harvesters, and everyone who played a role throughout the season.
Book your visit to Cave Guillod today and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of viticulture and wine tasting.
