At the Artémis estates, various pruning methods are used depending on the grape variety, the climate, and the type of vine training. Moreover, vine training methods are dictated by the appellation rules.
2.1.1.c What pruning methods are used on the properties?
Guyot simple
The Guyot simple is a form of mixed pruning where there is a cane and a spur. The cane is long and has 4 to 6 buds. The spur is made up of two buds and will form the cane and the spur the following year. The year’s cane will be removed.
This pruning style is used at the Domaine d'Eugénie and is the main method at Clos de Tart.
Guyot simple at Domaine d'Eugénie
Guyot double
Guyot double is based on the principle of a simple Guyot with two canes and two spurs. The two spurs have two buds. The two canes have 3 or 4 buds.
The style of pruning takes longer to set up, but it is potentially more productive. The vine must have been shaped beforehand to optimize foliage (formative pruning).
The area where the two arms are formed is called the base and this should not be too open or too closed. If it is too open, the canes will be longer, which can lead to crowding of the foliage on the outside of the vine and a void on the inside. If it is too closed, branch orientation will not be optimal, possibly increasing the risk of crowded foliage.
Médoc-style pruning is a double Guyot with optional spurs. The cane can then be used in the pruning the following year. This pruning technique is used on the Cabernet Sauvignon at Château Latour.
Cordon de Royat system
Cordon pruning is a short pruning method that uses two arms to structure the vine. The single cordon is based on the same principle but with only one arm.
Several spurs with 1 or 2 buds are on the arm(s) depending on the vine's vigour. Each year, pruning is carried out on these same spurs, which leads to an almost inevitable, but adjustable, increase in the height of the vine.
Cordon pruning at Château Latour
It is a type of pruning that is simple to carry out and easily maintained. It is suited to basal buds on fertile or moderately fertile grape varieties.
The technique is used for Château Latour’s Merlot vines and some of Clos de Tart's Pinot Noirs. Cordon de Royat and single cordon are also used at Eisele Vineyard.
Archet or Arched cane
This pruning method is practised at Château Grillet. Arched cane pruning is in fact a simple Guyot with one cane that has a maximum of 3 to 4 buds. The cane is then bent into an arch shape. The spur has 2 buds.
A variant of this method is used at Eisele vineyard for the white grape varieties. This style is known as Archet Toscan (or Arched Double Guyot) and has two arches and two spurs.
Arched cane pruning at Château Grillet