Planning for small vineyard in southern Arizona

[GSMChris]

I’m of the opinion that every vine is probably going to be a decision - at least it was for me.

The local experts told me that you cut back to where the vine is the size of a number two pencil - or, since you probably don’t want to carry a pencil around, the size of the last joint of your little finger. If that leads you to the point of only having two or three buds left, then cut there.

You are likely to end up with very uneven vines this year - which is perfectly fine. For the vines that are shorter than your knee, put the grow tube back on and let it have a little extra heat and protection.

 

[Twkundrat]

Well I ended up pruning all but the two most vigorous vines back to 4 buds to try for a stronger trunk. The two that were well above the lower wire I cut back to just above the wire and nicked off the lower buds. Unfortunately I had crown gall on one of my grenache vines so it had to go.