Vineyard Pruning Services

• Pruning calculations and block-specific work specifications
• Barrel pre-pruning
• Precision cutter-bar pre-pruning
• Spur pruning
• Cane pruning
• Combination pruning
• Selective and remedial pruning

• Vine reconstruction and renovation
• Rod tying and vine training
• Summer trimming and tipping
• Targeted shoot and sucker removal
• Tree and vegetation pruning
• Quality control and supervision
• Cost tracking and winery liaison

Barrel Pre-Pruning

Barrel pre-pruners use rotating cutting heads to remove and break up excess cane growth around the cordon before hand pruning.

This method can reduce cane volume, improve access to the cordon and reduce the material handled by pruning crews.

This option may suit: Uniform, cordon-trained vineyards with suitable clearance around posts, wires and permanent vine structures.

Precision Cutter-Bar Pre-Pruning

Precision cutter-bars trim canes to a nominated height or distance from the cordon, leaving a controlled amount of material for final hand pruning.

This approach can improve consistency and reduce the time required for detailed pruning.

This option may suit: Vineyards with consistent cordon height, suitable machinery access and a clearly defined final pruning specification.

Spur Pruning

Spur pruning cuts the previous season’s shoots back to short spurs positioned along a permanent cordon.

The work focuses on correct bud numbers, healthy spur positions, suitable spacing and removal of crowded or poorly positioned growth.

This option may suit: Established cordon-trained vineyards and varieties with productive basal buds.

Cane Pruning

Cane pruning retains selected one-year-old canes, which are positioned and tied along the fruiting wire.

Canes are selected based on their position, health, maturity and thickness, with replacement spurs retained where required.

This option may suit: Cane-trained vineyards or varieties requiring longer fruiting wood due to lower basal bud fruitfulness.

Combination Pruning

Combination pruning uses retained canes and short spurs within the same vine or block.

It can help manage vine balance, maintain replacement wood and respond to variation in vine condition.

This option may suit: Vineyards with mixed vine vigour, uneven fruiting positions or specific renewal requirements.

Selective and Remedial Pruning

Selective pruning applies a different treatment to vines that cannot be managed effectively through a standard block-wide specification.

This may include weak, over-vigorous, damaged, uneven or poorly structured vines.

This option may suit: Blocks with variable vine condition, missing cordon sections, dead wood or a history of inconsistent pruning.

Vine Reconstruction and Renovation

Vine reconstruction rebuilds damaged or poorly structured vines through trunk renewal, cordon replacement or the selection of new shoots and fruiting positions.

Work may be staged over more than one season to retain some production while the vine is rebuilt.

This option may suit: Older vineyards, damaged vines or blocks where existing vine structure is limiting productivity or machinery access.

Rod Tying and Vine Training

Rod tying secures retained canes along the fruiting wire and helps position buds evenly across the trellis.

Training may also include establishing trunks and cordons, securing replacement shoots and retraining renovated vines.

This option may suit: Cane-pruned vineyards, young vines and blocks undergoing reconstruction or retraining.

Summer Trimming and Tipping

Summer trimming manages excess shoot growth from the sides or top of the canopy during the growing season.

It can improve row access, spray coverage, airflow and machinery clearance while maintaining canopy shape.

This option may suit: Vigorous vineyards requiring canopy control during the growing season.

Targeted Summer Pruning

Targeted summer work focuses on selected shoots rather than applying a uniform mechanical trim.

This may include shoot thinning, sucker removal, water-shoot removal, fruit-zone management and retaining shoots for future renewal.

This option may suit: Vineyards requiring detailed canopy management, selective renovation or improved fruit-zone conditions.

Tree and Vegetation Pruning

We can assist with routine pruning of vegetation affecting vineyard access, machinery movement and infrastructure.

This may include low branches, vegetation near headlands and light pruning around trellis, irrigation systems, sheds and entrances.

This option may suit: Vineyards where surrounding vegetation is affecting access or normal operations. Large trees or hazardous limbs may require a qualified arborist.