Vineyard progress: Thoughts on pruning

Pruning is one of the most critical tasks in vineyard management, playing a key role in vine health and overall vineyard sustainability. While it may seem counter-intuitive to cut back a thriving vine, proper pruning ensures that the plant directs its energy efficiently, leading to a more robust and productive vine. Effective vineyard management, including pruning, is a cornerstone of regenerative farming practices, helping to maintain vine health, improve fruit quality, and enhance the resilience of the vineyard ecosystem.

Two-Bud Pruning

This winter, we are pruning the vines back to two buds. This may seem drastic, but because we have a long-term outlook for the vineyard, we want the strongest vines possible. To achieve this, we need to establish the best base for them to grow from. The idea is to prune the vines back to two buds this winter for the final time. The growth from this year will then be used to create the trunk of the vines, which will support production for many years to come. By focusing on the long-term health of the vines, we are ensuring a more resilient and productive vineyard that can thrive with minimal intervention in the future.

Why Pruning is Essential

Pruning helps regulate vine growth and enhances vine quality. Without pruning, vines can become overgrown and tangled, leading to poor air circulation, increased susceptibility to disease, and, in the future, reduced fruit quality. Additionally, controlled pruning ensures that the vineyard produces grapes of high quality rather than excessive quantities of fruit with diminished flavor and complexity.

In a regenerative vineyard, pruning also plays a role in pest and disease management. Overgrown vines create a dense canopy, making it easier for mold and pests to take hold. By carefully pruning each plant, we improve airflow and reduce the need for chemical interventions, aligning with organic and low-intervention farming practices.

Best Time to Prune

The ideal time for pruning is during the vineyard’s dormant season, typically late winter to early spring, before bud break. This ensures the plant is not actively growing, reducing stress and allowing it to heal properly. Timing is crucial—prune too early, and the vine may be exposed to harsh winter conditions; prune too late, and the plant may lose vital energy for new growth.

Top Tips for Pruning

Sharp, Clean Tools: Dull or dirty pruning shears can damage vines and introduce disease. Regularly clean and sharpen your tools for precise cuts.
Vineyard Goals: Different pruning techniques align with specific vineyard goals. Our goal is to produce healthy vines, and we are not trying to rush this process. As a low-intervention vineyard, we understand that this process takes time, and we are happy to delay the prospect of grapes for another year in order to develop more robust and healthy vines for the long term.
Check for Disease: While pruning, check for signs of disease or pest infestation and remove affected areas to maintain vine health.

The Bigger Picture

Vineyard management is about more than just producing grapes—it’s about maintaining a balanced and thriving ecosystem. Pruning, when done correctly, contributes to the overall health of our vineyard by promoting healthy vine growth and improving the overall resilience of the plants.

By maintaining a strong and healthy root system, our vines can better face drought conditions, absorb nutrients efficiently, and support a rich microbial environment in the soil. Healthy soils lead to healthy vines, which in turn produce high-quality grapes with no need for artificial fertilizers or pesticides.

Additionally, pruning helps maintain biodiversity in the vineyard. By carefully managing vine growth, we create an environment where beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife can thrive, eliminating the need for chemical pest control.

We are on track to have our first grapes in 2026, four years after planting, and we hope to be enjoying the rewards of our hard work in the summer of 2027. By investing in proper pruning techniques and sustainable vineyard management, we are setting the foundation for a vineyard that will be productive, resilient, and environmentally responsible for generations to come.