What to do with grape vines through the winter?

Question

This is the third year for my vines. I have left them alone over the last two winters (I am in Alberta). I have looked for information but I haven't been able to find any on pruning, growing, care of,etc.of grapes. I have three main vines and they are getting pretty big with lots of new vines. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you for any answers.

Answer 1

I have visited many wineries during the winter and here's what they do:

For the first coupla-few years, they train the vines to a trellis, where the main stalk comes up and there are two side branches on each side, about a foot apart (like a capital T with another cross line about a foot lower than the top one). These side branches (we'll call them arms) are then grown out to a distance of about 3 feet.

Once the basic shape of the vine is established, they allow branches (these will become production branches) to grow out of the out of the arms, about 6 inches apart. Now the vine is ready to be pruned for grape production.

At the end of the season, after the plant goes dormant (all leaves gone and the vines look dead), they cut each production branch such that there are two or three buds remaining on the branch (a few inches long). When the plant sprouts the next year, they will produce grapes from these new production branches that are generated from the buds.

Each year, they cut back the new production branches to two or three buds. And, the cycle continues.

Answer 2

Just let them overwinter, until spring. since they go dormant, fertilizing isn't necessary yet, nor do you need to prune your vines. This will avoid damage from winter frost. Remove all shoots except the most vigorous one. Prune back to two buds (a two-bud spur) and you could use vine protection. Place a 6' stake for training the vine. PS: Most grapes are spur pruned off the vine's cordons(main permanent arms) at 6 to 8 inch intervals. Select shoots that grow upward in a well-lighted environment for fruitful spurs.

Answer 3

Scroll to the bottom of this screen for pruning:
http://www.garden.org/plantguide/index.php?q=show&id=2073