Spring has arrived at Long Dog, and with it comes one of the most crucial tasks of the year – pruning the vines.
Pruning isn’t just about tidying up with a few quick snips. It’s the foundation of a healthy vineyard and the key to producing quality grapes. Each cut influences how the vine grows, how it balances its energy, and ultimately, the kind of wine we’ll be able to make.
A well-pruned vine is like a well-trained athlete: it has just the right amount of energy focused in the right places. By removing excess growth, we make sure the plant puts its strength into ripening a manageable number of bunches. Too many shoots and clusters, and the vine exhausts itself, producing grapes that struggle to fully ripen. Too few, and the balance is lost, leaving us with overly vigorous growth and weak fruit.
Did you know? – Spurs are the foundation
When pruning, we leave short stubs of cane called spurs. These are where next year’s shoots will grow from, ensuring the vine stays productive season after season.
A Before and After shot of a pruned vine.
That’s why I take time to guide the team row by row, vine by vine. We select the strongest canes, leave the right number of spurs, and cut back carefully to encourage balanced growth. Every vine has its own character, and no two require exactly the same approach. It’s part science, part craft, and part intuition developed through seasons of experience.
There’s a certain satisfaction in seeing neat rows after the work is done – vines trimmed back, ready to wake up and stretch into spring. It feels less like cutting back and more like setting the stage for the year’s story. The dogs trot alongside us, occasionally chasing a bird or pausing to watch, as if they understand that these quiet spring efforts are the roots of future harvests.
Did you know? – Balance is everything
Pruning helps the vine strike the right balance between leaves and fruit. Too many bunches, and the grapes won’t ripen properly. Too few, and the vine grows wild with lots of leaves but little fruit.
Dino and Sam checking the work on the vines.
Did you know? – It is about airflow
Proper pruning opens up the vine canopy, letting in sunlight and fresh air. This keeps grapes healthy, reduces the risk of fungal diseases, and ensures even ripening.
Pruning is patient work. It’s not glamorous, but it’s what gives the vineyard its rhythm, its strength, and its promise. With each careful snip, we’re shaping not only the season ahead but also the wines that will carry the spirit of this land into every glass.
Here’s to another season – balanced, healthy vines and the stories they will tell.
— Sam
