The History
In earlier times, every wine-growing region developed its own characteristic training techniques. Grapevines were either left to grow as shrubs without any growth supports, or trellised to wooden frames in the vineyard. Around 1900, the "Rhine-Hessian Training" became the norm in Germany~ a post and wire system using several horizontal parallel wires lying one above the other other ~ the "wire frame."
Spatial Requirements
The vines are arranged in rows with the plants usually spaced about 1.5m apart (for 2 canes per vine) or 0.8m (for 1 cane per vine). The climbing field, i.e., the space between the lowest and highest trellis wires, should be about 1m; for smaller arrangements in the private garden, min. 70cm.
Support and Trellising
The type and construction of the wire frames depends, among other things, on the selected training method, and for larger installations, requires professional advice. For small private garden plantings, we recommend wire rope system 0050.
Training
Selecting the right training method is best done with professional support. As an example, the bilateral cane training method (Guyot training), as carried out in the 2nd year, is illustrated here. Please refer to the information under 1st Year grapevines.
Pruning after the 5th Year
Each trunk develops a "head," which should be cane pruned ('dry pruned' / 'long pruned') every winter. Usually, additional summer pruning ('green pruning') follows.
Image 01: vines in vineyard after pruning, prior to bending and tying |
Image 02: vines after pruning, bending, and tying; unilateral arched canes, bud-burst  |
Vines on wire frame arranged as an espalier along a house facade, bilateral arched canes |
Row of vines after pruning, bilateral canes (tied as "semi-arches" / semi circles) |
Timber trellises were the forerunners of wire frames; detail of a painting by Johannes Köhler 1925, vineyard near Burgscheidungen. Wine Museum Neuenburg / Freyburg /Unstrut / Sa.- Anhalt |
Vineyard in the Elb Valley near Diesbar-Seusslitz - Saxony, winter image |
Horizontal arched canes, bilateral and unilateral, on a freestanding timber trellis |