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8 key moments of the grape you’ll witness in the vineyard

2025.05.15

Throughout the year, the vineyard undergoes a fascinating and cyclical transformation that completely changes both the landscape and the vine itself. Each season paints a different picture, but it’s between spring and the harvest, in late summer, when the vine most vividly reveals its evolution: it buds, blossoms, sets fruit, and nurtures each grape until it reaches perfect ripeness. This is also when we get to see the true star of winemaking up close — the grape.

If you visit us in spring or summer, you’ll witness some of the most magical moments in the vine’s life cycle in a privileged spot: among vineyards planted in Sauló soil and overlooking the sea. A wine tourism experience near Barcelona that connects nature, terroir, and wine culture.

  1. Closed flowers
    As spring arrives, the dormant winter buds awaken and begin to grow. The first leaves appear, and tiny flower clusters start to form — the early promise of what will become full grape bunches.
  2. Flowering
    With warmer weather, the buds open into delicate flowers. It’s a fragile moment: the vine needs calm, stable conditions to ensure successful pollination.
  3. Fruit Set
    Once the flowers are pollinated, they turn into tiny berries. This stage, known as fruit set, determines how many grapes each cluster will carry — and ultimately, the potential of the harvest.
  4. Berries pea-size
    The berries grow rapidly, reaching the size of a pea. At this point, they’re still firm and bright green. The vine channels its energy into helping the fruit develop properly.
  5. Bunch Closure
    The grapes continue to grow, and the bunches take on their familiar shape — still green and tightly packed. The vine is now balancing vigorous growth with fruit development.
  6. Veraison
    Around mid-summer, the grapes begin to change color — red varieties turn purple or blue, while white grapes shift to golden hues. This change, called veraison, marks the start of the ripening process.
  7. Berry ripening
    The grapes soften and develop their final balance of sugars, acidity, aromas, and flavors. When they reach the ideal moment, we begin harvesting — always by hand, and selecting the grapes.
  8. Harvest
    Harvest is the culmination of the year’s work. Once the grapes have reached their ideal ripeness according to the wine we aim to produce, they are hand-picked into small boxes, plot by plot, to preserve their quality and expression. Each harvest marks the start of a unique wine or cava — a true reflection of its origin and its year.

Come and experience this magical moment in the vineyard!
Book your visit and witness the grape’s transformation — a natural spectacle that only spring and summer can offer. We look forward to welcoming you to Alta Alella for an unforgettable experience.

ALTA ALELLA SL, as a company dedicated to the production of quality wines and sparkling wines, is committed to sustainability and has an Environmental Policy accessible to all interested parties, which can be requested by e-mail to info@altaalella.wine.
ALTA ALELLA © 2024

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