RELATIONSHIPS
Measures for rain: canopies and vineyard drainage: points for comparison
Read geography, grape resources, and production processes separately.
Grape cluster
Canopy covering as direct protection from rain
Vineyard
Consider drainage with slopes.
Vine & cultivation work
Varieties, Training, and Harvest Decisions
This is a schematic diagram summarizing the main text. It does not represent production areas or quality rankings. Sources and reference materials
FIELD NOTE 01
The choice to protect the grape clusters
The 2015 cultivation records for Tomi no Oka mention the practice of covering Merlot and Chardonnay with umbrellas (film covers). Read about this measure to protect against autumn rains and typhoons: during which period and what is being protected? Note that installing covers does not eliminate rainfall in the vineyard, and this must be considered separately from issues affecting the whole vine and soil.
FIELD NOTE 02
Consider the flow of water from topography
The 2016 replanting records describe efforts to reassess the terraces and restore the original slope. This is a case of considering where water accumulates and where it drains on the vineyard surface. Drainage is not determined solely by soil type—factors such as slope and row arrangement, which can be altered by people, are also relevant. Read this as an example of a past replanting case.
FIELD NOTE 03
Do not rank training systems as a quality hierarchy.
When comparing pergolas and vertical trellises, rather than arguing which is superior, consider the grape variety, vine vigor, light exposure, airflow, and ease of work. Comparing with wintering methods in Hokkaido helps reveal why the same training system cannot be applied nationwide. In rainy years, factors such as harvest timing and grape selection must be considered, so equipment alone doesn't predict wine quality.
No; rain on the grape cluster and water running through the soil or over the surface are different issues.
PAUSE & REFLECT
Check your understanding.
If using canopy covering, does it make vineyard drainage unnecessary?
Read the explanation ＋
No; rain on the grape cluster and water running through the soil or over the surface are different issues.
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Sources and reference materials
These are the reference materials for the main text. For details of production regulations, consult the current documents. For individual wine specifications, refer to materials for the relevant vintage.
- Suntory: Tomi no Oka, covering records (2015) ↗
- Suntory: Tomi no Oka, vineyard replanting (2016) ↗
- National Tax Agency: GI Hokkaido production standards ↗