We start leafing when the folliage begins to shade the young grapes. Crews go through the vineyard hand-pulling leaves. The bottom photo shows a vine that has been ‘leafed’. The large quantity of leaves pulled off can be seen on the ground. This process is repeated at least twice during the summer and sometimes three or four times.
By opening the canopy the grapes are less susceptible to mildew and benefit from the natural air currents. Leaves, of course, are responsible for photosynthesis and a canopy must be maintained. In order to expose the grapes and yet maintain photosynthesis the canes are trained upwards and restrained by pairs of wires. The fruit lives on the bottom wire.
This process of training begins during pruning by selecting new spurs that are positioned to grow upwards. These are the fruit bearing canes.
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