Pruning Season at Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards: The Key to Healthy Vineyards and Quality Grapes

As winter changes to spring and the vines move from their dormant phase into an awakening of the vines and the start of the growing cycle, our vineyard team at Faith Hope and Charity Vineyards knows it’s time to get to work on one of the most important tasks of the year: pruning. From January through March, before the vines wake up from their winter nap, our crew — led by vineyard manager Steve and hardworking vineyard hands Bob and Keith — gets busy shaping and preparing them for the season ahead.

Why Pruning Matters

Pruning isn’t just a routine chore — it’s a crucial step in producing great grapes (and, ultimately, great wine!). Proper pruning serves several key purposes:

• Keeps the vines in shape: Vines need structure, and pruning ensures they grow in an organized way that supports healthy fruit production.

• Chooses the best fruiting wood: Since grape clusters only grow on shoots from one-year-old canes, selecting the right ones is key for a good harvest.

• Controls fruit load and quality: By cutting back excess canes, we make sure each vine puts its energy into producing top-notch grapes instead of an overload of mediocre ones.

  
  

The Dormant Pruning Process

Once a young vine has been trained and its permanent structure established, annual dormant pruning becomes necessary. Steve, Bob, and Keith carefully remove last year’s fruiting canes or spurs (now two years old) and any excess one-year-old canes. This keeps the vines from getting overcrowded and ensures they produce strong, fresh growth for the upcoming season.

Since fruit only grows on shoots from one-year-old canes, keeping the right number of healthy canes is essential. Without regular pruning, the vineyard would turn into an overgrown jungle, leading to lower yields, poor air circulation, and lackluster fruit.

Timing is Everything

Steve always says timing is everything when it comes to pruning. We aim to finish between January and March, before the vines come out of dormancy. Prune too early, and the cuts might get damaged by winter weather. Prune too late, and the vines start pushing sap, making the job harder and potentially stressing the plant.

The Reward of Careful Pruning

By putting in the work now, we’re setting the vineyard up for success. Healthy vines, just the right amount of fruit, and a well-structured canopy all add up to a great growing season ahead. Whether you’re running a small vineyard or a big operation, winter pruning is the foundation for quality wine grapes and, ultimately, exceptional wine.

So, while the vines may be sleeping, Steve, Bob, and Keith are out there in the cold, shears in hand, shaping the future harvest—one careful cut at a time. And trust us, when you raise a glass of Faith Hope and Charity wine later this year, you’ll be tasting the fruits of their labor!