1. Introduction to Vines and
Wines
Hort/VE 113 Fall 2012
Session 8-Grape Growing
training
Spur pruning:
Spur: 2 to 4 buds each
Spurs spaced 8 to 12 inches apart
p p p
Generally leave 35 to 75 buds/vine—cv. and
vigor dependent!
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2. Spur Pruning
Cane Pruning
• Buds are retained
on longer canes
• Usually a single or
double cane system
• Last year’s cane is
y
removed
• Shoots from
replacement spur
are cut to produce
a 2 node
replacement spur
and a cane with 6-
15 buds
Cane Pruning
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3. Vine Balance
•the state at which vegetative and reproductive
growth lead to the most “balanced” vine.
•defined and calculated as the ratio between
vine yield and vine size,
in i ld nd in i
•represents reproductive (fruit) and vegetative
(wood) production of the vine
Vine Balance
• A complex relationship
• dictated by the soil, environment, and overall
production capacity of the vineyard.
• Environment
• S il
Soils
• Water availability
• Cultivar/Rootstock
• Vineyard design (spacing, trellis system)
Vine Balance
• The grapevine • vine spacing, pruning,
reflects its trellis, and yields
environment. need to be
• inherent growth determined to allow
potential of vine the vine to reach a
based on:
b d
balance of canopy
• the vineyard site and fruit growth on
(soils, precipitation,
that site.
climate) and the
• plant material
(cultivar and
rootstock).
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4. vines on a site with
limited resources are
weaker and have less
carbon available for the
current season’s growth
and less in reserves for
the following seasons.
Smaller vines lower yields
Photos courtesy of Patty Skinkis, Oregon State University
Vines with relatively
unlimited resources and
climate (sun and heat
units) are able to produce
the maximum amount of
carbon for fruit
production, vegetative
growth and reserves for
the next season’s growth
larger vines and higher yields
Pruning Visuals
Vertical shoot position ‘Concord’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1vZHwrp8H0
Guyot system –head trained and cane pruned
http //www.youtube.com/watch?v lula7WUoZlo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lula7WUoZlo
Comparison of spur- and cane-pruning
systems
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCs03Mc2HKM
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5. Training Vines in
eastern Washington
System: bilateral cordon
Lesson objectives:
1.Learn the basic system, bilateral
cordon, used for wine grapes
2.Recognize the variations of the
cordon system
3.Understand the importance of vine
training
4.Understand the importance of a
trellis
Bilateral Cordon
http://viticulture.hort.iastate.edu/info/pdf/domototrellis.pdf
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6. Typical Bilateral Cordon System
in Eastern Washington
Bilateral cordon system is simple to establish and maintain
Typical Bilateral Cordon System
in eastern Washington
Note the 2 trunks and 2 cordons on these vines
Note the trellis supporting the vine.
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7. Topping before pruning =“Hedged”
‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ vines
Growers often save time and money by pre-pruning with machines
Bilateral cordon is truly adaptable to sandy soils…
Photo taken near Osoyoos, B.C., Canada—K. Williams
Notice the double support wires at the top
On sandy soils, vines are spaced closely to compensate for low vigor.
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8. Cayuse Vineyards--’Syrah’ a la Rhone style
This vineyard has “cobble” soils which help keep vines warm
during the winter. Fruit ripening in the fall is also enhanced.
This vine is trained to
a bilateral cordon with short spurs
The trunk is looped to reduce vine vigor. Also note that the spurs
have only one bud, so the grower is managing for low yields.
2-yr-old ‘Chardonnay vines--Yakima Valley
Note the number of support wires for this young vineyard’s trellis
system. Also note the angled end posts.
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9. Notice the double trunk and the cordons
Where do you see the irrigation line? Look at
the first wire…
The grower will select the permanent framework
this season.
The grower will choose 2 permanent trunks and 2
cordons.
The “Scott Henry”system is a variation of the
cordon system specifically for vigorous vines
and soils.
Remember, balance is critical to keeping
vines and crops consistent.
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10. Scott Henry Diagram
http://www.henryestate.com/trellis.asp
This vineyard is trained
to a divided canopy--in B.C., Canada
A divided canopy splits the framework of the vine
Another divided canopy in Walla Walla, WA
--notice the spurs
Downward pointing spurs are less vigorous.
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11. The spurs are “upward” and “downward”
--weird but good!
For this grower, his variation of the bilateral cordon
system allows the crop and canopy to achieve balance.
Bilateral cordon-trained 20-yr-old ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ vine
Notice the gray, “shaggy” bark that is typical of wine grapes.
Close-up of the spur system as the spurs get older
In essence, the spurs need to eventually be regrown
and trained when the system gets unwieldly.
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12. Notice that the vines are planted on ridges or berms
A berm is typically used on heavy soils to improve drainage and rooting
Where are the support wires
located for the vine and fruit?
Note the flower clusters in the center of this new
shoot.
For small-clustered varieties, growers leave longer spurs
Bilateral cordon with long spur pruning—Sauvignon
blanc
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13. Minimally pruned ‘Concord’ vines have been established
in the Yakima Valley for many years.
The training of this vine is basically benign neglect!
‘Syrah’ can be vigorous--and needs shoot training to let
light into the canopy. (the “Before” photo)
In July, excessive shoots are removed to allow light into the canopy.
The “After” photo--lots of light
for the clusters and the canopy.
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14. Trellis: Support the vine and fruit
to improve the yield of high-quality fruit.
• Good fruit and canopy light exposure
• Improved disease and pest mgmt.
• Improved pruning and harvesting
2-3 Wire Vertical
Geneva Double Curtain
14
15. Geneva Double Curtain
Scott Henry Diagram
http://www.henryestate.com/trellis.asp
Scott Henry
– East
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16. http://www.henryestate.com
/trellis.asp
Scott Henry -
West
Smart Dyson
Smart Dyson
Upper Spur
Lower Spur
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