How to Prune Wine Grapes

Learn how to properly prune wine grape vines.

Pruning is an essential part of grapevine maintenance, as it promotes new vine and fruit growth. Failure to prune grapevines causes the vines to quickly grow out of control and produce less fruit. Heavy pruning produces the best yield, while light pruning produces large quantities of poor quality grapes. Wine grape varieties include the Aurore, Bluebell, Edelweiss, Millot and other varieties, which require slightly different pruning techniques than nonwine grape varieties. These grapevines should be pruned in early spring, while the vines are still dormant.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Find two to four sturdy canes near the base of the grapevine. A cane is a branch extending from the arms of a grapevine.

2. Cut these canes back 3 to 4 feet, using pruning shears. Leave 20 to 30 buds on each cane for proper wine grape growth.

3. Check the grapevine for old, neglected or improperly pruned canes. These canes usually contain no buds or fruit.

4. Cut off the old, neglected canes with the pruning shears. Wait for the canes to complete the next growing season.

5. Use the pruning shears to cut off the old trunk just above where the renewal canes extend from the trunk. This promotes new wood growth from the vine's main support.

References

• Oregon State University: Extension Service Garden Hints
• University Of Minnesota: Growing Grapes For Home Use