How to Prune a Wine Vine in April

Wine grapes prefer climates with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, such as those in California's Napa Valley and the wine regions of France. Different types of grapes have different needs for sun and moisture, so do a little research to determine which varieties might succeed in your region. Normally, it's standard practice to prune grapevines during their winter dormant season, but a spring pruning can help keep rampant vines under control without sacrificing the fall harvest.

Clippers or pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Prune new bare root wine grapevines in April before you plant them. Remove all growth except the strongest cane, leaving two buds. Cut all spindly growth back to the main stalk.
- 2
  Prune the long shoots of older wine grapevines to a length of 4 to 6 feet in April to encourage lateral growth. Using your clippers, cut canes at a slight angle, about 1/2 inch from a bud on the long end of the cane. Avoid pruning off forming clusters of grapes.
- 3
  Prune the long shoots of vines growing on a trellis to a height that measures 3 to 4 feet above the soil. Take care to leave sufficient foliage to shield forming fruit from sunburn.
- 4
  Trim the long shoots of wine grapevines growing on an arbor to remove low-hanging canes and canes that grow from the base of vine cordons, or supporting "arms" that grow from the main trunk.

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