Pruning

VINEYARD BEFORE PRUNING

The leafless branches seen in the picture are referred to as "canes".  This section of our Orange Muscat vineyard is vigorous having canes of good length.   

 

PRUNING

Without pruning the grapevine will set so many bunches that wine quality suffers.  This worker is leaving just 10 or so spurs on each vine and two buds on each spur.   Each bud will form a shoot which becomes  a cane.  Each shoot will have two bunches on it.  In this manner, by leaving only so many buds per vine, we manage crop size to ensure quality.

                                                                

OLD ORANGE MUSCAT VINE

This vine was planted in 1982.  The cut off canes are called "spurs".    The parts of the vine under the spurs are called "arms".   Over the years the arms grow longer.    In the spring, each spur produces two shoots which become new canes.  The leaves on the canes manufacture the carbohydrates, flavorants, and coloring matter which will become this year's crop of Orange Muscat.