Spring Tears: The Secret Regenerating Our Vines.

Today, we want to explain a fascinating phenomenon using a simple analogy: have you ever heard of vine weeping?
As you know, during winter, the days grow shorter and colder, the leaves fall, and the vines enter their dormancy phase.

At Cantina Martinelli, we are currently performing winter pruning, removing old shoots to encourage future fruiting on younger, more vigorous ones; during this period, the sap is almost entirely retained within the root system. In March, when the ground begins to warm up and the outside temperature consistently reaches around 10°C, the sap rises from the roots along the trunk until it reaches the fruiting cane, eventually emerging through the cuts made during winter pruning.

So, how does vine weeping work?
We say the vine is “weeping” when we see droplets of sap oozing from the plant. For us winemakers, this is a vital indicator, signaling the restart of the vegetative cycle. It’s easy to understand using a simple anatomical analogy.
Just as the human body has veins, arteries, and lymphatic vessels, grapevines have a vascular system called the phloem, which carries sap rich in photosynthetic products from the leaves to the stems and roots, and the xylem, which carries mineral-rich water in the opposite direction, from the roots to the stems and leaves. As temperatures rise in spring, the roots absorb nutrients and water from the soil, and the xylem and phloem activate to move sap and nutrients along the trunk.
In this way, the sap reaches the tip of the cane, passing through the trunk and the fruiting cane, and the vine begins to weep from the pruning scar.
Depending on the age and variety of the vines, the pruning method, and the climate, a plant can release liters of sap before the pruning cut heals. This is an extremely delicate phase; a frost could cause significant damage, killing the buds. The sap contains essential plant hormones for the development of the vine’s young parts.
Cytokinin and gibberellin stimulate cell division, promoting vegetative growth and nourishing the buds. With this weeping, the vine begins the actual bud break phase. If these nutrients are lacking, along with an adequate supply of minerals, the plants are less resistant to frost; the “tear” itself becomes denser, risking freezing on the bud and burning it.

A 100% plant-based and natural beauty spa!
The sap, which is rich in natural antioxidants, can be collected. At Cantina Martinelli, we use vine tears to produce our own cosmetic serums, suitable for all skin and scalp types, with moisturizing and soothing properties. So now you know our beauty secret—but it’s top secret, don’t let it leave this blog… 😉