During the winter period, our vines are in full dormancy and can therefore withstand very cold temperatures. January 22 symbolizes Saint-Vincent (patron saint of winegrowers) and marks the official day for the beginning of pruning for winegrowers. At the domain, our team started on January 31st.
Pruning is a crucial step in preparing for the next harvest. Its purpose is to control the yield and the quality of the harvest. It must be thought out and adapted to each vine stock, according to its vigor and production objectives. The more fertile the vine, the shorter the cut. Be careful not to cut too short, which would damage the fertility of the vine for the next vegetative cycle.
There are several ways to prune vines depending on the region, the climate and the grape variety. Among them, we present you the 3 main ones:
- Guyot pruning (single or double)
This size is the most common in France. It is often simple in the Burgundy region and double in the Bordeaux region. This system is very practical because it allows good yields on less fertile grape varieties; its trellising allows the mechanization of the vineyard work. The winegrowers use a different rod each year.
- The Royat cordon
This vine with a very solid foot is presented with 1 or 2 horizontal arms. This pruning also requires a trellis and allows an easier maintenance during the pruning and the harvest. The bunches of grapes are spread out and benefit from a good ventilation as well as a good sunshine. This pruning is preferred for vigorous grape varieties.
- Goblet pruning
Especially present in the Mediterranean vineyards, this pruning will allow the vine, during the vegetative cycle, to protect the grapes from the sun thanks to a parasol of leaves. It consists in forming four arms from a central foot in order to distribute and aerate the bunches.
At the Domaine, we mainly use Guyot pruning, single and double, as well as the Royat cordon.