Growth Spurt

The vines are finally taking off. Late May rains combined with June sun and heat have provided ample fuel for rapid shoot growth. Vineyard activity is at peak. All hands on deck. Start times have shifted to 6:00am.

So what exactly are we doing? For the next several weeks our two main tasks will be shoot tying and cluster zone aeration.

We use a universally common training system called "Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP)". All the shoots originate from the lowest wire (also called the fruiting wire) and then grow upwards to the top wire (at 6' in height). But they need help. They don't always grow straight up and attach themselves with tendrils. Wayward shoots need human assistance. We hold the shoots up against a wire and then use a tying tool to secure them. We do this all day. For weeks.

The fruiting wire is called such because all the grape clusters are conveniently located in a zone just above this wire. This is not by chance. The beauty of this system is uniformity. All the clusters are in a zone that can be easily attended to. In our humid and occasionally rainy climate those clusters need good air flow and some (but not too much) sun exposure. Disease prevention and flavor enhancement are improved. So again, we humans slowly crawl up and down the rows meticulously and strategically removing excess green growth in order to open up the fruit zone. We take out undesirable secondary shoots, lateral shoots originating from the primary shoots and some leaves surrounding the clusters.

Timing is critical, the work can be backbreaking, and the bugs and the heat don't help.

This is all part of what is known as canopy management and it's not necessary in order to grow grapes. But it is necessary if the goal is to make great wine.

Linden Update | June 10, 2026

Growth Spurt

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