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46 p r a c t i c a l w i n e r y & v i n e ya r d J a n U a r y 2 0 1 5 s m a r t v i t i c u l t u r e column about double-header pruning illustrated this principle for cane-pruned vines. (See "Double-header solution for high-vigor vines in cool climates," in the July 2013 PWV.) The Grenache trained to the lyre system has performed very well. The divided canopy has given more color to the fruit and allowed better spray pen- etration, which is important for control of powdery mildew and botrytis. Viognier was originally trained to a vertical shoot positioned (VSP) trellis with a bilateral cordon using steel high- way posts. This block is on a north-facing slope, and there is no water available for frost protection. In two out of three years there has been frost damage, and the crop load reduced to half of normal. In an effort to overcome the poten- tial frost problem they have gradually introduced cane pruning, which they find can better accommodate frost dam- age. Lachs emphasizes that this is not a rigorously shoot-positioned VSP; it may be described as a "lazy VSP" that allows more sunlight to create dappled shadows in the fruit zone. This system provides for good fruit exposure, which is not always seen with VSP-trained vines. Cabernet Sauvignon is trained to a traditional lyre system, 3 feet wide at the base and 4 feet wide at the top. These vines have good vigor. In the east-west vine rows, the owners notice a difference in the canopy on the north and south side. The south side canopy shows early basal leaf yellowing, obviously some response to more sunlight. Therefore the owners decided to avoid too-strict shoot positioning and leaf removal on the south side of the vines. Zinfandel vines at Cedarville are head- trained and spur-pruned. The vines are given a lot of leaf removal and fruit thin- ning including the removal of shoulders of clusters, especially of second crop. I have seen Zinfandel grown very success- fully on a lyre trellis. Fruit coloration is very sensitive to sunlight exposure. Crop Load Summary (in tons per acre) Total Vineyard = 13 acres 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Viognier, 1 acre 3.0 3.25 4.5 4.6 4.54 Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.1 acres 2.3 2.6 3.0 4.4 4.2 Zinfandel, 5.6 acres 2.6 1.9 2.02 2.34 2.5 Grenache, 1 acre 4.0 3.5 3.3 3.75 3.67 Syrah, 2.3 acres 2.8 3.0 3.7 4.2 4.0 Conclusion The standard trellis in the region for new vineyards is a bilateral cordon with VSP, although some older vineyards have the "Californian sprawl." There is a ten- dency for new vineyards to be planted to narrow tractor rows of 6 to 8 feet wide, corresponding to the availability of a narrow tractor. Lachs and Marks have been encour- aged by their vineyard experience with several training systems. Cedarville wine quality is well-recognized, and from that viewpoint they should be happy. It is unusual to see a vineyard where owners have deliberately set out to try a range of training systems. More commonly there is a "cookie cutter" approach with the same training system used irrespective of variety, rootstock, row orientation and vigor. Typically that system is the VSP, a system that is less well-suited to high-vigor vine- yards. The opportunities to improve yield and quality by altering training systems are well-documented although not always appreciated and applied by vine growers. It is a shame, they could pro- duce more income from their vineyards. PWV Dr. Richard Smart is rewriting and thoroughly revising "Sunlight into Wine." Interested persons should contact Dr. Smart by email at richard@smart- vit.com.au. Dr. Smart vis- its the U.S. frequently, and consulting appointments also can be made by email. See smartvit.com.au. Your source for informative technical books. ORDER TODAY! www.PracticalWinery.com and click BOOKSHELF "Lazy" VSP cane-pruned Viognier vine.