Pruning is an important element in our vineyard management for the ultimate wine,
Imposing disciplined growth patterns helps vine management, and ensures consistent yields and the healthiest, best grapes possible. We aim to create even crop loads and a balanced leaf canopy, with enough leaves to fuel the plants, but not so many that the fruit is overly shaded.
We ensure that each vine has the right number of fruitful buds to provide the right crop level, and that the grapes have plenty of aeration to avoid fungal diseases.
At Grand Mayne we use the Guyot System, promoted by Charles Guyot in the 1860s.
This system can have one or two canes and spurs. The canes are tied to wires and the buds on the cane grow in to the vine’s canopy. This results in good leaf exposure for photosynthesis and evenly spread fruit beneath the trellis.
We pride ourselves on using modern techniques, but it’s interesting to see that we still rely on some traditional basics that have been practised for over 150 years.