The Delicata vines that were re-grafted back in June of this year are flourishing as the start of the 2011 grape harvest is in full swing. The company has achieved an above 98% success rate with its re-grafted Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Moscato grape varieties thanks to the after care service of its contracted vignerons under the close supervision of Delicata's viticultural team. Particular credit however must go to the professionalism of the French company that performed the re-grafting exercise back in June, Worldwide Vineyards, who did such a good job.

 Due to significant market changes during the last decade, many of the Maltese winemakers find themselves in a position whereby there were too many red grapes being grown in Malta and Gozo and not enough whites? To re-plant more white vines would not only have meant waiting four years for grapes, at a significant extra cost to the farmer, but it wouldnÂ’t have solved the problem the farmers had of how to sell their surplus reds! Whereas with re-grafting if done properly, only one year's production should be lost.

 Funds to subsidise the project were allocated by the government, which will cover all the expenses the farmers who re-grafted had to undergo. Prior to the re-grafting exercise each vigneron had to clean and prepare the identified vines and irrigate and maintain them once re-grafting was completed. In all over 60 tumoli, planted with approximately 33,000 vines, was re-grafted using t-bud and chip-bud grafting techniques. The red varieties that were planted in abundance and surplus included Carignan, Syrah and Merlot. Hopefully the additional Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Moscato grapes that will grow in their place will help re-balance the shortfall in white grapes that the winemakers have.

 Another huge advantage with regard to this project is the transference of knowledge freely given by the French company Worldwide Vineyards to the Maltese and Gozitan growers. More red vines, covering an additional 130 tumoli, are scheduled to be re-grafted over the coming two years and thanks to this newly obtained skill it will be carried out by local vignerons.

 Delicata's re-grafted vines should reach full production by next year, ready for the 2012 grape harvest. The additional white grapes will allow Delicata to increase its production levels of popular white wines where the demand often out weighs the supply. Wines like D.O.K. Malta Gran Cavalier Sauvignon Blanc and Medina Sauvignon Blanc and Victoria Heights Chardonnay made from D.O.K. Gozo grapes.