In today's episode, we are talking about unique or alternative pruning scenarios and methods with guests John Thull and Marco Tessari. We discuss viticulture for cold climates, unique pruning techniques from around the globe, and more. John has a degree in biology with a plant focus and spent time in Germany doing an apprenticeship. He now lives in Minnesota, where the temperatures can get well below freezing, and specializes in grape breeding and enology, with a focus on cold-climate grapes and wine. Marco is from Italy and is back on the episode for the second time to discuss two unusual pruning techniques: the Sylvoz and Cazenave methods.

Listen in as we talk about these non-traditional vineyard pruning techniques.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How John pioneered cold-hardy grapes at the University of Minnesota that can withstand extreme winter temperatures.

• What techniques, such as 'insurance buds' and 'spare parts pruning' are.

• The unique pruning methods for maintaining vine health and grape quality in cold climates.

• Global variations in vine pruning practices from Marco.

• Vineyard management challenges in cold climates.

• Descriptions of the Sylvoz and Cazenave pruning techniques.

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Resources:

Register for Fritz’s free live virtual learning event, Vine Pruning Strategies That Most Growers are Missing, happening on Monday, February 5th at 6 PM CST.

Get Fritz’s Young Vine Training & Vineyard Innovations video course covering bonus canes and spurs and some other unique pruning scenarios. This member-only content is available to podcast listeners through March 31st.

The pruning methods that Marco describes are the Sylvoz and Cazenave techniques.

Come grow with Fritz through VirtualViticultureAcademy.com! Save $75 off your first year of membership with the code Underground at checkout.

If you have questions about today’s episode or other grape growing questions, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button.

Today’s Guest:

John Thull is a researcher at the University of Minnesota. John specializes in Grape Breeding and Enology with a focus on cold climate grapes and wine.

Connect with John - Website | Email | Instagram

Marco Tessari is an international pruning expert based out of Montebelluna, Italy. Marco works with vineyards all over the world in person and virtually and is revolutionizing the art and science of vineyard pruning.

Connect with Marco – Email

Episode Sponsor:

Thank you to our friends at Bahco for their sponsorship of today’s episode. As innovators for more than 165 years, Bahco has introduced the most advanced tools in the world, and Bacho products are manufactured in factories across Europe. I exclusively prune with the Bacho ERGO™ Bypass Secateurs with Elastomer Coated Fixed Handle (size medium). Visit https://www.bahco.com/int_en/ to find a dealer near you to get the best pruning tools on the market, along with hedging tools, tying tools, picking tools, and more.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.