A vine that carries more crop than it can ripen. Vines that aren’t pruned enough tend to set too much crop. Wine produced from fruit of an over cropped vine is always poorer in quality than if the crop were normal size. An over cropped vine can be corrected, if it’s done in time, by simply thinning the crop in late June or early July. The grower sends in a crew to cut off from 10 to 40% of the over cropped fruit while it is small and green. The remaining fruit will develop and ripen correctly.
I am passionate about wine, history and art. As an experienced wineo, I have deep respect for those who have the skills to blend art and science into a bottle of great wine; I truly don’t know how a vintner can possibly tango with Mother Nature all year...