A California Winery Blog

Although a little windy today, the weather is ideal and flowering continues. The second photo gives an overall view of vine growth and shows some of the canes reaching the first pair of wires that will guide them upwards.

In the past canes were allowed to fall over in a system called ‘head pruning’. Less labor intensive, but very inefficient since the canes covered one another reducing exposure. It also hid the fruit creating an ideal environment for mildew and mold.

Today most vineyards use a system of ‘vertical shoot positioning’ training the canes upwards through pairs of wires allowing the leaves to do their job and exposing the fruit. Vines need photosynthesis to mature and the trick is to balance the vine — the amount of fruit on any given vine and the leaves necessary to mature it.