How to Tie Grapevines in a Vineyard

Keeping a vineyard healthy and productive requires maintenance and care year-round. Although the style was once to cut vines back to a central stump each year and create bushier growth during the bearing season, the more modern approach is to trellis the vines and allow them to spread naturally. Tying the vines properly is a crucial part of this management.

Things You'll Need

• Jute twine
• Sharp knife
• Alcohol
• Scissors

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Use a sharp knife to cut all but two laterals coming off the central trunk. Cut all but three shoots off the lateral. Before moving to the next vine, sterilize the knife by dipping in alcohol.

   • 2

     Tie the remaining vines to the wire trellis with jute twine, making sure the loop is not tight enough to girdle the growing vine and kill it.

   • 3

     Return to the vines weekly and check growth. As the shoots become long enough, tie them with the jute to the next level of wires.