While the vineyard rests under the winter sky of Montalcino, our work never truly stops. At this time of year, we dedicate ourselves daily to winter pruning—a crucial moment that shapes the future of the vine and, ultimately, the quality of the wine you will enjoy in the years to come.
But what does pruning really mean? And why do we carry it out with such care, never delegating this task to external hands?
Pruning is Where Wine Begins
Looking at a vine before pruning, you’ll see it still covered in last year’s shoots. Our goal is to select only the right ones, shaping the plant for optimal growth and ensuring the perfect balance between vegetation and fruit.
The two main techniques we use are:
- Guyot Pruning – Here, we select a fruiting cane, the long shoot from which new buds—and eventually grape clusters—will grow, along with a spur, which is cut short (about 5 cm, with two buds) to support future production the following year. The fruiting cane, initially vertical, is then bent and tied to the support wire horizontally, ensuring orderly vine growth.
Spur Cordon Pruning – In this method, the shoots are cut shorter, leaving only 3-4 spurs, each with two buds. These will develop into new shoots, which will bear the grape clusters for the next harvest. This technique yields about 6-8 clusters per vine, ensuring a balance between quantity and quality.
A Gesture That Shapes the Future
Pruning is not just a technical operation—it is a strategic decision. Every cut determines the vine’s growth direction and influences both yield and grape quality. That is why at SanLorenzo, we do not entrust this crucial phase to anyone else. With experience and dedication, we personally shape each plant, because vines need expert hands that can read their potential and guide them.
Every spur, every fruiting cane, every centimeter cut or left to grow is a piece of the future harvest. The choices we make today will shape the wines you will uncork in a few years, telling the story of a vintage through its aromas, flavors, and emotions.
In the coming days, we will share some images from the vineyard to show you the before and after of pruning. In the meantime, we invite you to explore our collection of SanLorenzo Brunello di Montalcino, a true expression of this land and our passion, or to come visit and experience the magic of Brunello firsthand.
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