Shoot Positioning or the real Workhorse of the Vineyard

(Following our last post about Fruit Set and the Grapes – the ‘Stars’ of the Vintage – we think it is time to give some long overdue recognition to the real workhorse of the vineyard - the shoots and leaves!)

Let’s hear it for all the hard work that the shoots and leaves have been up to! Ever since budbreak in February, more than 3 months ago, they have been on an adrenlin rush to grow – upwards and outwards! On the Smart Dyson high trellis system which is practiced at Cortes de Cima, some shoots are already over 1 meter in length, which means that the leaf canopy is over 2 meter high!  (Overheard shoot conversation: “Ha Ha, Shorty! Beat you!”)

Now with the summerheat upon us, bringing increasing temperatures and falling soil humidity, the breakneck pace of growth of this leafy foilage is finally starting to slow, the perfect time for our ladies to get out there and whip them into shape through shoot positioning.   The vineyard workers must manually position the shoot within the trellis wires in order to expose the fruit hanging beneath,  opening  up the canopy on the east side to the morning sun, and leaving them protected on the west – shading the fruit from the harsh rays of the afternoon sun.  The advantages are manifold, but most important is the need to spray less, as the openness of the canopy combined with the high trellis system,  allows better air circulation around the grape bunches. This is a good natural way to combat fungus, reducing spraying with chemicals.