Intermediate to Advanced Workshop: Winter pruning to optimise vine health & productivity

THE PRUNING WORKSHOP

This workshop will deliver both a theory and practical session to improve trainees pruning techniques and understanding of how pruning relates to crop yield and quality. The course will include focus on established vines to ensure the trainee is a competent pruner following completion of the course. There will also be an opportunity during the course to review the pruning approach to young vines in the establishment period.

LEVEL: Intermediate to advanced. This course is designed for those who have basic winter pruning experience and are looking to improve and advanced their knowledge and techniques.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Understand how to establish a vine structure.
• Recap of basic Guyot pruning and be able to make confident pruning decisions on a vine-by-vine basis (cane and spur choices, cane and spur positioning, cut positioning, cane length)
• Understand and recap of gentle pruning principles including grapevine physiology, vine structure and function relevant to pruning and sap flow.
• Understanding of vine capacity and balance and be capable of doing in-field vine balance assessments (charge counts and Ravaz index) and formulating pruning specifications accordingly.
• Able to make confident pruning decisions on a vine-by-vine basis (cane and spur choices, cane and spur positioning, cut positioning, cane length).

Joel Jorgensen, Vinescapes Director and Viticulturist, grew up in the Cape Winelands of South Africa and viticulture has been a life-long passion of Joel’s. He gained a BSc in Viticulture and Pomology from Stellenbosch University before being drawn to the UK’s flourishing and rapidly expanding wine industry.

After managing a large organic and biodynamic vineyard in Hampshire, Joel spent several years as Operations Manager of a very successful vineyard contracting business. Joel is a self-proclaimed ‘vine nerd with muddy hands’ with a passion for sustainability in all senses of the word; from improving soil health, creating biodiversity, increasing vineyard longevity, improving efficiencies and creating the perfect ecosystem within the vineyard.

Joel strives to create the perfectly balanced vineyard and a healthy natural system that will deliver a quality crop every year and provide a sustainable return on investment.

PLEASE BRING:
– Pruning secateurs
– Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear for the practical session and inclement weather
– Packed lunch (Note: coffee, tea and water will be provided)

VENUE:

• Morning classroom session will be held at Mannings Heath Estate, Mannings Heath, West Sussex, RH13 6PG
• Afternoon practical session will be held at Coolhurst Vineyard, Brighton Road, West Sussex, RH13 6HY

Further directions will be provided with the joining instructions.

CONTACT:

If you have any questions please contact us by email: info@vinescapes.com or call 07939 900203.