Vinescapes workshop

The trainer Joel Jorgensen will deliver both theory and practical sessions to improve trainees technical pruning techniques and understanding of how pruning relates to crop yield and quality.

This is a beginner to intermediate level workshop and is designed for those who have little experience of winter pruning, or wish to improve their techniques and refresh their skills. It will include focus on young vines in the establishment period as well as established vines.

Learning objectives:

Understand the principles of pruning the most common vine training systems in UK
Understand grapevine physiology, vine structure and function relevant to pruning and sap flow
Be able to make confident pruning decisions on a vine-by-vine basis (cane and spur choices, cane and spur positioning, cut positioning, cane length).
Be capable of doing in-field vine balance assessments (charge counts) and pruning accordingly.
Able to prune young vines and establish vine structure (Vine ages 1-3)

LEVEL: Beginner to intermediate

Carrying out vineyard tasks correctly is important to for productivity. These practical workshops are designed for those with little or no experience or those seeking to refresh or develop their practical skills.

DISCOUNT for WineGB members and students (Plumpton College, Master of Wine, WSET), apply at checkout.

Code: WSWINEGB (WineGB members only)

Code: WSSTUDENT ((Plumpton College, Master of Wine, WSET students only)

Trainer:

Joel Jorgensen, Vinescapes Director and Viticulturist

Joel grew up in the Cape Winelands of South Africa and viticulture has been a life-long passion of Joel’s. He gained a BSc in Viticulture and Pomology from Stellenbosch University before being drawn to the UK’s flourishing and rapidly expanding wine industry. After managing a large organic and biodynamic vineyard in Hampshire, Joel spent several years as Operations Manager of a very successful vineyard contracting business. Joel is a self-proclaimed ‘vine nerd with muddy hands’ with a passion for sustainability in all senses of the word; from improving soil health, creating biodiversity, increasing vineyard longevity, improving efficiencies and creating the perfect ecosystem within the vineyard. Joel strives to create the perfectly balanced vineyard and a healthy natural system that will deliver a quality crop every year and provide a sustainable return on investment.

PROGRAMME FOR THE DAY (timings are approximate)

9.30am: Coffee on arrival

10.00am: Theory session starts (in the winery building at Tanhurst Vineyard)

12.30am: Lunch. PLEASE NOTE: Trainees need to bring their own packed lunch.

1.45pm: Start of the practical session

3.30pm: Summary session

4pm: Close

PLEASE BRING:
Pruning secateurs
Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear for the practical session
Packed lunch (coffee, tea, water and biscuits provided)

VENUE: to be confirmed. South East England.