In this pic, our agronomist Alessandro Zanutta is showing how to prune the vineyard. For the good management of the vine and to keep it in good health and productivity, the pruning is essential.
This important practice allows to maintain a balance between the vegetative activity of the plant and fruiting, thus ensuring good quality of the grapes. Winter pruning, also called dry pruning, affects the shoots, those branches that are about 1 year old and must be practiced during the vegetative rest of the plant; the ideal period to carry it out is from November to March based on the geographical location of the vineyard.
The choice of the pruning period has effects on budding: an early pruning will lead to an early budding, instead, late pruning it will delay it. From the different pruning methods many forms of vine cultivation are obtained, in this case, the alberello pruning, typical of the Mediterranean regions, has many positive effects on the physiology of the vine and on the characteristics of the grape, for example: high resistance to wind and drought, optimal circulation of sap and air and a low leaf area which results in reduced evapotranspiration and limited water requirements. All important elements when considered from a viewpoint of eco-sustainability and adaptation of vineyards to climate change, in which the way they are managed and the size of the plants are key points.
