The Choices
Vine Training
The Choice
What is Vine Training?
Vine training is the way a grapevine is shaped and supported as it grows. Just as a tree can be pruned into different shapes, grapevines are carefully trained to help them grow healthy grapes.
The way a vine is trained affects how much sunlight, air and space the grapes receive throughout the growing season.
Its consequence
Why does it matter?
A well-trained vine helps the grapes ripen evenly while allowing air to flow through the leaves. This reduces disease, improves fruit quality and makes it easier for growers to prune, spray and harvest the vineyard.
The best training system depends on the grape variety, climate, soil, and whether the vineyard is harvested by hand or machine.
The range
What does it do to the wine?
Vine training influences the ripeness, balance and consistency of the grapes.
Open canopies
Allow more sunlight and airflow, helping grapes ripen evenly.
Dense canopies
Protect grapes from intense heat, but may increase the risk of disease if airflow is reduced.
The system chosen
Different training systems help growers manage vine growth to produce the style of wine they are aiming for.
Although you may never notice it in the vineyard, vine training has a lasting impact on the quality of the fruit.
In practice
Common training systems
Each system answers the same question differently: how should the vine be held, and how much sun should reach the fruit?
Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP)
The most common system used around the world.
Shoots grow upwards between supporting wires, creating a neat, vertical canopy. It provides excellent sunlight exposure and airflow, making it ideal for producing high-quality wines.
Commonly used forSauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bush Vines (Goblet)
One of the oldest training methods.
The vine grows as a free-standing bush without wires, with shoots spreading naturally around the trunk. Bush vines are well suited to hot, dry climates because they naturally shade their own grapes.
Commonly used forChenin Blanc, Grenache, Shiraz and many old-vine vineyards.
Scott Henry
A divided canopy, growing in two directions at once.
Some shoots grow upward while others are trained downward. This improves sunlight exposure and airflow in vigorous vineyards, helping produce more evenly ripened grapes.
Commonly used forVineyards where vines grow very vigorously.
Lyre
The canopy split into two sides, forming an open V.
Dividing the canopy exposes more leaves to sunlight and improves airflow, allowing the vine to ripen fruit more evenly.
Commonly used forFertile vineyards with strong vine growth.
Pergola
A leafy canopy raised above the fruit.
The vine grows overhead on a raised framework, shading the grapes from below. This protects the fruit from intense sunlight and is commonly used in warmer regions.
Commonly used forParts of Italy, Portugal and South America.
In the world of Aurenloch
Vine training is one of the Choices. The grower cannot change the climate or the soil, but they can decide how each vine grows within those conditions.
By shaping the vine, they help nature produce the healthiest grapes possible.
Did you know?
Some vineyards planted more than 100 years ago are still producing grapes today. Many of these historic vines are trained as traditional bush vines, and although they produce fewer grapes, they are often prized for creating wines with exceptional concentration and character.