As a farmer my impression of what is important has changed, ,,, grapes are weeds
View attachment 89767
these are on about four foot row spacing by three foot plant spacing. The owner will mow the head land with an electric corded mower.
Grapes fill in any empty space. Grapes are decorative over the patio. , , ,
View attachment 89773
Grapes are more important than a 800 year old castle.
View attachment 89775
I live near those photos in Hungary. That is Sümeg Castle in one photo. Not my castle view. Personally, I see
Szigliget Castle from my kitchen window and front porch. How cool is that?
But I digress....
The post I say is a honest critique. When I first can to Hungary, my view was.... less kind.... First impressions are not always the best impressions.... haha...
But... After living here for a long time, I might suggest, it is to consider, that in this region there were many "hobby" vineyards. And during the period of Goulash Communism many of these properties had small vineyards to make wine or Pálinka, to keep themselves and their relative sufficiently intoxicated...... And what one sees is the remnants of that.
Which I kind of like myself. Especially as this region is being quickly gentrified, over built, and completely altered. So these photos are a good historical archive.
And the vineyard methods are indeed very different from what some Americans are familiar with. Very close spacing for example is very common here (as it is in much of Europe). And weirdly, it is not really an inappropriate vineyard method. And most vines are hedged, as a matter of course. That is simply how it is done here. After a short 20 years of growing grapes here, versus the 2,000 (ish) years of grape growing experience since the Romans introduced viticulture in Hungary, I can say, I have learned, they have a point. I tried USA methods here and they all failed. I had to finally admit.... Traditional methods really are effective. Experience (2,000 years) may actually win over New World ideology (at least when it comes to growing grapes)....
Edit: Grapes have been grown around Sümeg Castle for maybe 2,000 years (ish). A 800 year old castle is maybe a simple example of politics.... injected around a then already 1000+ year old wine tradition. I was more annoyed by the Tesco they built across the road from the castle within the last 15 years or so. When I first saw Sümeg Castle, there was no Tesco, but there were plenty of vineyards. And there are fewer vineyards today. And there stands a Tesco.... I find that sad....
Hope this helps.