2025

FEBRUARY

2025 Unified Wine and Grape Symposium

I was thrilled to attend the Unified Symposium this past month! Established in 1995, the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium was created through the collaboration of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture and the California Association of Winegrape Growers. Since then, it has grown into the largest trade show for the wine industry in the U.S. Held annually in January at the Sacramento Convention Center, the event draws over 10,000 attendees and features more than 650 vendors from around the world. In addition to the expansive exhibit hall, the symposium hosts a highly anticipated State of the Industry session. During this session, experts discuss a wide range of topics, from current sales trends to the global grape and wine supply, offering valuable insights into the industry’s future.

Ron Rubin Estate VineyardFour different examples of the variety of styles of Sauvignon Blanc.

One highlight for me was attending an educational session on all things Sauvignon Blanc. We heard from an expert panel on the best practices in the vineyard and the cellar for making an outstanding wine. One key take away for me was the winemaker has many choices when it comes to producing a riper and richer style wine versus a dryer more varietal fruit driven one. We were presented with four Sauvignon Blancs made in different “styles”. It was a great experience, with a lot of valuable information presented!

VINEYARD UPDATE – Pruning begins this month

Pruning is a critical vineyard practice that significantly impacts wine quality and sets the stage for the next growing season. The main goal is to bring the vine into balance, ensuring it remains healthy and productive for years.

Vine Assessment & Pruning Decisions:

Before pruning, key factors are assessed to guide decisions:

  • Cane Thickness: After leaf drop, the condition of the canes is important. Thicker canes signal good vine health and vigor, while thinner canes require more conservative pruning to avoid stressing the vine.
  • Weaker Vines: Vines showing signs of stress during the growing season are marked. These vines are pruned more conservatively, leaving fewer buds to conserve energy and promote recovery.

Cane Pruning vs. Spur Pruning:

  • Spur Pruning: The traditional method of leaving short stubs (spurs) for new shoots. While suitable for stable vines, spur pruning offers less flexibility in adjusting vigor or yields and increases the risk of vine diseases due to the accumulation of old wood.
  • Cane Pruning: This technique involves selecting one-year-old canes, which are then laid down on training wires and cut back to healthy wood. Cane pruning allows for more flexibility in managing vine vigor, yield, and disease prevention by removing permanent wood.

 

Ron Rubin Estate VineyardHere is a picture of a Pre-pruned Pinot Noir vine in our Estate Vineyard.

Benefits of Cane Pruning:

  • Disease Prevention: By removing permanent cordons, cane pruning reduces the risk of vascular diseases, which are more common in older, spur-pruned vines.
  • Flexibility in Management: Cane pruning offers greater control over vine vigor, bud load, and yield, allowing better adaptation to varying conditions or specific vine health needs.
  • Quality Improvement: Cane pruning leads to better-balanced vines and more consistent, higher-quality grape production. It allows for precise tailoring to each vine’s unique needs, promoting uniform ripening and enhanced fruit quality.

Ron Rubin Estate VineyardThis is a good example of a cane pruned Pinot Noir vine in our Estate Vineyard.

Why Shift to Cane Pruning?

The move from spur to cane pruning reflects a shift towards more adaptable and disease-resistant vineyard management. Cane pruning provides greater flexibility, enabling better vine recovery, optimal bud load, and improved fruit quality. By removing permanent wood, it reduces the risk of disease and ensures a healthier, more productive vine, ultimately leading to higher-quality wine.

While spur pruning has been the norm for some time; cane pruning offers significant advantages, making it the preferred choice for modern vineyards aiming for flexibility, disease prevention, and consistent, high-quality wine production. Most all new and older vineyards in Sonoma County are moving toward cane pruning.

On behalf of the entire team here at River Road Family Vineyards and Winery, we wish you all continued good health!

Be Well,