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 45
s M A r t v I t I C u l t u r E
growth cycle, and yield and quality typi-
cally decline. This concept is well cov-
ered in my book, Sunlight Into Wine.
My approach in many vineyard situ-
ations is to remove every second vine
to increase the vine spacing. A recent
mal vine spacing in the row to 3.5 feet
between vines.
I do not agree with this approach. In
my experience, close spacing in the vine
row is the principal cause of excessive
vigor, as the vines get into a vegetative
larger vigor problems with Grenache.
This is an interesting variety with large
bunches and large berries, and the
wines can be poorly colored unless the
vines are well managed. In the hope
of devigoration, they reduced the nor-
Quadrilateral-lyre Cabernet Sauvignon, east-
west vine rows.
Bilateral cordon Grenache, east-west rows.
Quadrilateral-lyre Grenache vines in north-
south row orientation.
