It’s not only the vineyard which looks bleak but the whole countryside. Normally in mid-january the mountains are green and rich with new vegetation from the rains. This year we have had almost zero rainfall. There is still hope, the rainy season extends to mid-april and we have occasionally benefited from late season rain.
Because we use drip irrigation and the water goes only to the plant the periphery can build up salt deposits. The rain leaches out these salts. With several dry years in succession the salt build-up can reduce the vigor of the plant.
That’s the negative side. The positive side is that we can better control irrigation, and reduce energy and water consumption.
The photo shows another view of the vineyards, the brown and grey hills in the background, and our pruners in the center of the vineyard.
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