Pruning, Cane Tying & Removal: January through March

Most grapevines are either cane or spur pruned. The method you choose depends on the trellis system, location, terroir, and the age and shape of the vine. Most of our vineyards are cane pruned.

Weed Control: January through March

Spray vine rows with Roundup. The width of the spray should be between 18 and 24 inches. The goal is to kill any weeds, which may compete with your vines for nutrients in the soil.

Mowing:April

After the rains have stopped, vine rows should be mowed or rototilled to incorporate the cover crop into the soil. This will add valuable nutrients to the soil.

Shoot Thinning:April through May

With your hands, remove any unwanted shoots and suckers that may appear. The rule of thumb is 15 shoots per meter and two shoots per spur.

Shoot Positioning: May through August

Shoots grow in many directions, some of which inhibit optimum grape quality. Depending on the trellis type, shoots should be trained or positioned so they do not shade the fruit or decrease the air circulation around bunches.

Leaf Removal: June

One week before fruit thinning, remove two or three leaves around the grapes on the east (morning sun) side of the vine only. Removal of leaves on the west (afternoon sun) side of the vine will cause sunburn of the grape bunches. If your vine rows run east to west, remove all leaves surrounding the clusters, except those leaves above clusters. It takes from 12 to 15 leaves per shoot to ripen grape clusters, so be careful not to remove too many. The purpose is to open up the canopy to allow free airflow and reduce the conditions that cause mildew.

Fruit Thinning: June

To promote even ripening, clusters should be removed after berry set (after flowering, when tiny berries form). After berry set, shoots have reached 80 to 90 percent of their maximum length. Remove all clusters on very short shoots, and remove one cluster on somewhat short shoots. (A minimum shoot length of 24 inches is required to ripen one cluster of grapes.) This process will reduce crop size, but it will dramatically improve the quality of your grapes.

Shoot Hedging: End of June

Hedge the vines by cutting the canes when they extend more than four feet above the fruiting cordons. Leave at least 15 leaves on each cane. Long canes shade the vine and reduce fruitfulness.

Cluster Removal: August

At 85 to 90 percent verasion (the stage that color begins to appear in the grapes), remove grape clusters that are significantly less ripe than the others. This will ensure evenly ripened grapes at harvest. During the season, remove all second-crop grape clusters as they appear.

Bird Net Installation/Removal: August or September

Install bird netting when grapes reach verasion. Drape vines with bird netting and tie together at the bottom using clothespinsto prevent birds from entering from the ground. Remove nets the morning the grapes are to be picked. Removing the nets the day before may result in the loss of a significant portion of your crop. It’s now time to harvest your grapes.

Floral/Erosion Cover Crop Seeding: September through October

While temperatures are still warm and before significant rains occur, sow cover crop seeds in the vineyard rows. They can be broadcast by hand or with a seed spreader. Rake the seeds into the soil to promote growth and to prevent birds from eating them.