Winemaking is a true art that is practiced all over the world. The vineyards from which the wine is produced form some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. From Old World vineyards in Italy or France to New World vineyards in Argentina, Canada, Australia and the USA, this is exactly what you need to see. We invite you to enjoy this selection of photographs of some of the world's most beautiful vineyards.
1. Los Alamos, Santa Barbara. CHUCK ABBE
2. Saint-Emilion, France. (WOODMO)
3. Trigny, Champagne, France. (VERONIQUE COUTIE)
4. Porrera, Catalonia, Spain. (SBA73)
5. Lavaux, Switzerland. (HOCKENSMITH PHOTOGRAPHY)
6. Kunde Estate, California, USA. (TOM MOYER PHOTOGRAPHY)
7. Ermonville, France. (VINCENT BRASSINNE)
8. Bruneolla di Montalsino, Tuscany, Italy. (RICSEN)
9. Balf, Hungary. (THOMAS LIESER)
10. Margaret River, Australia. (CALZEAN)
What are vineyards?
A vineyard is a plantation of wine grape varieties grown primarily for winemaking, but also for the production of raisins, table grapes and non-alcoholic grape juice. The science that practices and studies winemaking is called viticulture. Winemaking is typically characterized by its terroir, an indigenous French concept literally translated as “sense of place,” which refers to the specific geographic and geological characteristics of grapevine plantations.
11. Hunawihr, Alsace, France. (MARTIEN UITERWEERD)
12. Maurice Curry, California, USA. (LASZLO M.)
13. Baden Wüttemberg, Germany. (CLAUDE05)
14. Vineyards on the Tedo River, Portugal. (AL GATOR)
15. Vineyards on Lake Chelan, Washington, USA. (ANDY SIMONDS)
History of winemaking
The first evidence of wine production dates back to 6000-5000 BC. Winemaking technology improved significantly in Ancient Greece, but it was only towards the end of the Roman Empire that viticulture became what we know it today.
In Medieval Europe, the church was a reliable supporter of wine, which was necessary for church services. During the instability of the Middle Ages, the monasteries preserved and developed viticulture technologies. Possessing resources, means and knowledge, they were interested in improving the quality of their wine.
European vineyards were mainly planted with different species of Vitis vinifera. However, in the late 19th century, entire species were virtually wiped out by the phylloxera aphid, which was accidentally introduced to Europe from North America. Native American grapevines include the aphid-resistant species Vitis labrusca. Vitis vinifera was saved by grafting onto the root shoots of American grape varieties, despite the fact that there is still no cure for phylloxera, which still poses a threat to every ungrafted grapevine.
16. Mission, California, USA. (-DSH-)
17. Hahndorf, Australia. (ANDY RASHEED OF EYE FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY)
18. Vineyards of the Golden Hills, Switzerland. (PIZZODISEVO)
19. Napa Valley Vineyards, California, USA. (JOSH MAZGELIS)
20. Verzenay, France. (VINCENT BRASSINNE)
Modern winemaking
The quest to improve vineyard productivity has created a wide variety of systems and technologies. Due to the more fertile lands of the New World, attention was largely focused on creating conditions for more vigorous vine growth. Innovations in staking (guiding the vine, usually along a grid) and plant pruning, as well as shoot thinning techniques (which serve to optimize the Foliage/Fruit Size (F/F) ratio relative to the microclimate) have largely replaced conventional, traditional concepts such as “yield per unit area” instead of “maximizing the yield to the desired amount.”
Other modern practices include spraying the vine with water to protect it from cold temperatures, new grafting techniques, cutting grooves in the ground, and mechanical harvesting. These technologies made possible the development of wine production in New World countries such as Canada. Today there is increasing interest in the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable grapes. Biodynamics is becoming increasingly popular in viticulture. The use of drip irrigation in recent years has made it possible to plant grapes in places where this was previously considered impossible. Due to improvements in irrigation, crops have become more sustainable.
21. Vineyards on Lake Chelan, Washington, USA. (ANDY SIMONDS)
22. Collio, Italy. (TERRY)
23. Napa Valley Vineyards, California, USA. (TURBULENTFLOW)
24. Penngrove, California. (AL THE WOP)
25. Baden Wüttemberg, Germany. (EDDYBOX43)
Terroir
The word “terroir” comes from the word “terre”, meaning earth. Originally, it was a native French term referring to wine, coffee and tea, used to denote special characteristics such as geography, geology and climate of a certain area, awarded to rare species. Farmland in the same region shares similar soil, weather conditions and agricultural technologies, each of which makes a significant contribution to the future harvest.
It also has a very abstract translation as “sense of place”, personified in certain qualitative characteristics, in the number of positive effects that the environment has on the production of products. Terroir is often italicized in writing to indicate that the word is borrowed from French.
It is based on the assumption that the land on which the grapes were grown imparts a unique quality that is characteristic of the region. The magnitude of the influence and scope of the concept of terroir remains a controversial topic in the wine industry.
26. Drake, California. (GLEN HAYLEY)
27. Palava, Czech Republic. (VASEK KADLEC)
28. Artesa, California. (JIM G)
29. Kir-Ianni, Greece. (ROBERT WALLACE)
30. DeFosse, Virginia. (TOMMY LYNCH)
31. Train Truck, Australia. (ZAPPED!)
32. Meursault, France. (AYUSH BHANDARI)
33. Kelowna, Canada. (SPYHOPGL)
34. Napa Valley Vineyards, California, USA. (TURBULENTFLOW)
35. Stuttgart vineyards, Germany. (FLORIAN FLERLAGE)
