Grape Days 2024 | Long spur pruning, an alternative to cane pruning | Yuichi Ando

The COVID pandemic brought Marlborough's labour shortage into sharp relief. As a result, vineyard production costs increased at an accelerated rate and growers needed to explore alternative production systems to maintain financial sustainability. One of the biggest vineyard expenditures is winter pruning, and for a long time, cane pruning has been the favoured pruning method in the region.
Viticulture consultant Mark Allen has long been aware of the adaptability and benefits of long spur pruning of Sauvignon blanc. Among them, long spur pruning has shown promise as an alternative to cane pruning, with reduced labour inputs at similar yield and quality.
To respond to the industry needs, BRI conducted a three-year trial to compare the effect of two pruning systems on vine performance and wine quality under an objective research setup. The presentation aims to deliver findings from three-year rigorous observation as well as practical implications obtained from growers who have used the long-spur system at commercial scale.
This presentation was at Grape Days Marlborough 2024.