I'm always on the lookout for unusual, old fashioned or even crazy things people are doing in vineyards and wineries. The pictures below tell an interesting story. These vines are being grown in almost completely the opposite way than is recommended. Modern viticulture says that a VERTICAL (like a curtain) canopy optimizes fruit quality. These vines spread out over the ground like a bucket of spilled paint. The fruit is often touching the soil or almost touching.
Can you imagine pruning or harvesting a vineyard like this? Just thinking about it is giving me a back ache. The reason these vines are planted this way is because the wind in this area can be strong enough to blow over a trellis system. The wind also explains the design of the traditional houses.
There are a lot of vineyards in La Mancha. Much of the fruit goes to huge "wine factories" and is distilled into cheap brandy. That's about all it's good for.
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