This is the time of year [January] when teams of workers labor to cut and shape our grape vines. This action will facilitate controlled growth of the vine canopy striking a balance between sun light, shading, air, and growth support of the grape clusters that add considerable weight as they develop. Efficient access for chemical application and harvest machine ingress egress is also a consideration. Grapes only develop on 1st year wood. So, last season’s growth is removed.

The arms of the plant, which are known as cordon, are structurally trained through the use of a fixed and permanent trellis system. Our system uses two wires stretched horizontally between evenly spaced rows of vertical metal posts. The vines are loosely bound to these stakes and wires with soft ties. This is the foundation but in addition the vines require annual pruning. The process requires many man hours because it is done by hand and there are 44,000 vines in our vineyard!

Each trunk has two arms (bilateral cordon) Our vines are Cordon trained and spur pruned. We need to know some of the lingo of Grape Vine Anatomy

• cluster- arranged on the shoots along with leaves, tendrils, flowers and grapes
• shoots – arise from buds to become the fruit producers
• bud – growing point that develops into shoots
• spur – is created by short-pruning of canes
• cane – a mature shoot and subject of the pruning
• cordon – semi permanent arms with spurs spaced at regular intervals
• trunk – was once an individual shoot trained as the main support
• rootstock – the foundation

There are many of these instructive how-to clips available. For the best experience we should spend a few hours in the field with gloves and shears.

These are just the basics. There is a lot more to this process and nomenclature to understand. I don’t pretend to know it so we are learning together here.