In winter, earthing protects the plants against the cold.

After the harvest in autumn, the vine plants are earthed, which means that the union (where the graft meets the rootstock) is covered over with soil to protect it from the cold and frost.

In spring, the vineyard is ploughed again to bring the soil back between the rows. The rest of the soil remaining between the vines is removed by hand.

The soil may be ploughed up a third time in April or May.

During the summer, the soil is worked over several times to get rid of weeds.