Age takes its toll
Every Spring we see that the ravages of time and disease have taken their toll: some vines have not made it over Winter. In most cases it is age and circumstances below the surface. In other cases it is disease, such as Eutypa or phomopsis, both difficult to control and passed on through pruning.
Once vine dies in an established vineyard, it cannot be replaced by a fresh rootling, as its neighbours will not let it grow. The only way is to take a cane from the next vine and ‘layer’ it. Such a layer is visible in the photo below of Lily; however, in this case, the donor vine has died. Such is life! Fortunately, we do not lose very many vines. All the vines pictured are Chardonnay.
