WINETECH Technical Yearbook 2021

more space to accommodate the expected strong vigour. There is some confusion around the sprawling system and mechanical pruning. The one is a type of trellis system and the other a pruning system. The system that is discussed here, is still pruned by hand and the bearers are well spaced. There is no reason why a premium wine objective cannot be achieved, provided the correct practices and management are applied, and the terrain lends itself thereto. SUMMARY The reality is that most vineyards for lower wine objectives are currently suckered very lightly or not at all. If the shoots are then still positioned, it causes compaction which is extremely negative in terms of production and quality. The better alternative is to let the shoots sprawl to obtain a more open canopy. When planting

new blocks, trellis system constructions that better enable sprawling canopies, can be considered. Short-term management like tipping/topping, fertilisation and irrigation must be judiciously managed to obtain the desired result.

PHOTO 3. This Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard was planted to achieve a naturally more open canopy.

Sauvignon blanc, Chenin blanc and Pinotage, are very good candidates for these trellis systems. Vineyards should not be too vigorous, as shoots can then collapse

and cause more densification. Under vigorous conditions it is better to consider trellis systems like the Ballerina system, Smart-Dyson and the TK2T which have

For more information, contact Hanno van Schalkwyk at hanno@vinpro.co.za.

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