Thanks to the help of an amazing crew, shoot thinning in the vineyard was completed today.

For those not familiar with viticulture, shoot thinning is part of canopy management in which the vertical shoots are thinned to 3-4 shoots per linear foot. The purpose of shoot thinning is to:

• Attain a favorable ratio or balance between fruit and foliage
• Promote light and air penetration into the fruit zone
• Encourage uniformity in shoot and crop development along the length of a cordon or cane
• Minimize the risk of diseases
• Improve quicker drying of leaves and fruit, as well as increases spray penetration

It is amazing how quick the vines have grown in the month since bud break and no doubt the week of rain has been a major contributor. They have already grown past the fruit zone and are continuing their climb to the top of the trellis system.