| Once you have your vineyard planted in the most | | | | the trellis so you end up with a T shaped plant. In |
| favorable location, the next most important | | | | midsummer you want to start growing a second |
| consideration in growing the best grapes is proper | | | | T so your vine will climb to the higher wire on |
| pruning. Pruning is an ongoing task throughout the | | | | your trellis. Prune the top of the trunk just above |
| life of your vineyard and is critical to maximize | | | | your first T. This will encourage growth of the |
| the production and quality of your grapes. | | | | trunk and let it grow to the top wire. Late in |
| Reasons for Pruning Grapes | | | | summer pick the strongest shoots at the top |
| Grapevines need pruning in order to maintain the | | | | wire and train them along the trellis. In the second |
| size, shape, and productivity of the vine. Young | | | | winter and during the next growing season prune |
| vines are pruned to establish the proper shape | | | | all extra growth that is not part of your basic |
| along the trellis. Once your vines are in production, | | | | framework. In the third winter we are ready to |
| they need to be pruned to optimize grape quality. | | | | prepare for our first year of production. Prune to |
| Grapevines will produce fruit clusters only on the | | | | leave 12 buds along each of the arms which will |
| last year's growth. Older growth will not produce | | | | produce next year's fruit. On each bud leave 1-2 |
| grapes so must be removed if it is not part of | | | | leaf joints. |
| the main trunk and arms. Vines that are 3 or | | | | Annual Pruning |
| more years old will produce two to three hundred | | | | Now our vines are producing every year, they |
| buds which would mature into fruit. If these were | | | | must be pruned every winter or early spring |
| all left on the vine, they would not be able to | | | | when the vines are dormant. The objective is to |
| ripen, and would not sustain adequate growth for | | | | remove the canes that bore fruit since they will |
| the following year's crop. | | | | never bear fruit again. This should be done in late |
| Pruning young vines | | | | winter before the buds start to swell. In addition, |
| During the first growing season, allow the vine to | | | | in early spring you will want to remove a number |
| grow without any pruning. The main goal in this | | | | of the buds so you don't grow more grapes than |
| year is to establish a strong root system that will | | | | the wine will support. A simple solution is to prune |
| sustain solid growth in future years. Abundant | | | | all but 12 buds along each of the arms as we did |
| growth of the stems and leaves will provide the | | | | the first year of production. There are more |
| energy for root growth. In winter or early spring | | | | sophisticated methods such as the "Kniffin |
| you want to select the strongest shoot to be the | | | | System" which will even produce better results, |
| main trunk of your vine. Stake it or tie to your | | | | but is beyond the scope of this article. |
| trellis with string. Now you want to remove all | | | | Pruning equipment is no different than for most |
| other stems to encourage growth of the main | | | | shrubs. A pruning saw, loppers, and pruning shears |
| trunk. | | | | are required, and most importantly, they must be |
| During the second year the main goal is to | | | | kept sharp so all cuts are clean. Now your vines |
| establish the best side shoots and train them | | | | are producing quality grapes, you can put your |
| along the trellis. In late spring you should remove | | | | winemaking abilities to work to produce a wine |
| all but the two strongest shoots so all growing | | | | that is the envy of all. |
| energy is focused on their growth. Tie shoots to | | | | |