Journal | May 6, 2024
Before shoot thinning.
After shoot thinning.
Shoot Thinning
“Green work” is the term winegrowers use to describe the hand work that is done during the growing season. The vines are typically touched a dozen times per year. This winter we have already pruned and then tied down canes. Shoot thinning is the first of many passes we make during the growing season. The timing is important as the young shoots need to be out far enough to visually expose their clusters (we try to only retain shoots with clusters, otherwise they are taking up valuable real estate). But if we wait too long the growth becomes a jumbled mess and which slows an already time-consuming process.
With each vine both form and function are taken into account. Form refers to the position of the retained shoots. Uniformity is critical, so no bunching or big gaps. Function has to do with yield goals. We try to retain a precise number of shoots per vine. Each shoot carries one or two clusters. We use past cluster weight data to determine a rough yield goal (how many clusters per vine is ideal), but know that adjustments will be made at the cluster thinning stage in July.
Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Hardscrabble Journal: May 6, 2024