Why we use ‘sunscreen’ in the vineyard
As summers grow warmer and more intense, winegrowers are increasingly focused on protecting fruit during the most vulnerable stages of the growing season. One tool we use in the vineyard, particularly on our Pinot Noir, is a clay-based ‘sunscreen’, applied during the peak of summer to help shield grapes from excessive heat and sun exposure.
This product is made from finely milled natural clay and works by forming a thin, white, and reflective film on the surface of the leaves and grape bunches. Rather than blocking sunlight entirely, it reflects a portion of the sun’s radiation, lowering the temperature of the fruit and reducing the risk of sunburn, dehydration and heat stress.
For delicate varieties like Pinot Noir, which can lose aromatic detail and structural finesse when exposed to extreme heat, this natural protection can be critical in preserving balance and freshness. Importantly, the use of clay sunscreen is not about pushing ripeness or masking vintage conditions, it’s about giving the vine a better chance to ripen evenly and gently. By reducing stress during heat spikes, the vine can continue photosynthesis more efficiently, resulting in healthier fruit and more consistent flavour development. From a winemaking perspective, the process is equally considered.
The clay product (or vineyard soil/s) is completely inert and sits only on the surface of the grape skins. At harvest, normal vineyard dust and clay residues are expected, and the sunscreen is easily removed during standard winemaking steps. Gentle washing from rain events helps throughout the season, and any remaining residue is removed during destemming, crushing and settling. The clay naturally drops out with solids during fermentation and racking, leaving no impact on aroma, flavour or texture in the finished wine. The result is simple: grapes that arrive in the winery in better condition, with brighter natural acidity, purer aromatics and less need for intervention.
In the context of a changing climate, clay-based sunscreen is one of several quiet, thoughtful practices that help us protect vineyard expression – not alter it. For us, it’s another way of respecting both the season and the site, ensuring our Pinot Noir reflects where it comes from, even in the most challenging summers.