How to Grow Auxerrois Grapes

Choose a south facing site on a slight slope, if possible. This will maximize the heat the vines receive from the sun, while the slope will help to reduce the chance of frost, as cold air tends to move from elevated areas to lower areas. It will also promote rapid drying of morning dew, reducing the incidence of diseases caused by moisture. The site should have full sun exposure. A soil rich in minerals with good drainage is ideal.

Order Auxerrois grape stock from a reputable nursery. Make the order at least six months before you intend to plant, to allow ample time for the nursery to prepare the grape stock. When the stock arrives, inspect it to ensure the roots are moist and keep it in a humid location.

Plant the Auxerrois grape stock in the spring after danger of the last frost has passed. Soak the roots in water for 24 hours prior to planting. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the vine’s roots with ease. Space the vines 8 feet apart in rows 9 to 10 feet apart.

Support the Auxerrois grape vines with a trellis. A simple wire trellis system consisting of two posts placed 24 to 30 feet apart with a thin wire running between them at a height of 3 to 4 feet will suffice. Train the shoots of the grape vine to grow upward, then along the wire.

Provide water to supplement rainfall to keep the soil moist around the Auxerrois grapes, especially during the first year as the vines are becoming established. Do not allow the soil to dry out; otherwise, the vines may become water stressed, which will reduce harvest yield.

Remove weeds regularly from around the grape vines. Young vines do not compete well with weeds; the presence of weeds may increase the incidence of disease. Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of organic mulch around the vines, such as grass clippings or composted leaves, to help control weed growth.

Prune the Auxerrois grape vines to maintain their shape and form. The main goal of pruning is to balance fruit productivity and vegetative growth. The best time for pruning is in the late winter or early spring.