White Pine Early Spring News
The first of March is the beginning of meteorological spring. March wind comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, to paraphrase an old adage. March is also the time when we must get our vineyards pruned and ready for the growing season ahead. Pruning looks easy and logical when you see someone who knows how to do it. But have you ever thought about why and how pruning is done?
Pruning is the primary means for controlling crop on grapevines. All of the canes from last year’s growth have the potential to produce flower clusters and fruit. If no pruning was done, the vines would produce too much crop which would fail to ripen and produce bad wine if it were used. It would also limit the vines’ ability to harden off for the following winter setting the stage for a bad, low crop season to follow the large crop. By removing most of last year’s canes, we are also removing most of the cropping potential and only leaving what the vine can mature. Now that we understand the “why” of pruning, let’s have a look at “how” we prune.

The vines in our vineyards are spaced 6 feet apart in the rows. When we leave fruiting canes or spurs at pruning, we want to evenly space that fruiting wood across the length of the vine. Ideally, the shoots will be evenly spaced at around 5 per foot of trellis and will quickly fill the vines canopy in May and June. If the goal is to get around 5 shoots per foot of trellis and the vines occupy 6 feet of trellis space, then we want to leave around 30 buds on each vine with 15 buds on each side of the trunk. We also need to leave a couple of renewal spurs on each trunk below the fruit bearing wire so we can replace fruiting canes and cordons as needed. The fruiting spurs or canes must be left as close to the cordon or trunk, respectively, so the fruit is in the “fruit zone” where it can be sprayed and managed during the growing season. Each vine is different and requires the vigneron to use his knowledge of the training system and growth habit of each variety to make pruning decisions. The decisions have to be made quickly and correctly so that pruning can be completed in a timely manner before growth begins in late April to early May.
While pruning may not seem interesting, it is actually the foundation for great grapes and wine in the season ahead.
Starting March 1,, White Pine is open daily for wine tasting. We have some great wines for you to enjoy! Check out our new releases below so you can plan your tasting adventure! Each of our wines demonstrates the beautiful varietal character developed by these grape varieties in our Michigan climate. The reds show intense deep ruby red color, great length on the palate and a broad range of flavors derived from the grapes, the fermentation process and aging for 12 months in French Oak barrels. Our white wines show bright, forward fruit in the aroma and on the palate. Crisp acidity perfectly balances these wines and makes them great for sipping with a meal or on the deck or patio.