Winter vineyard pruning is a critical and often overlooked part of winemaking. This essential vineyard work lays the foundation for a healthy and productive growing season by carefully shaping the vines and managing their energy for the year ahead.
While the tasting room may feel quieter and the vines appear to be resting, winter is one of the most important seasons in the vineyard. Winter pruning is the foundation of the entire growing year, shaping how each vine will grow, ripen fruit, and ultimately express itself in the glass. At Suhru & Lieb Vineyards, this behind-the-scenes work begins long before buds break in spring—and it’s some of the hardest, most deliberate work our vineyard team does all year.
Winter pruning determines both vine balance and fruit quality. Each cut decides how many shoots a vine will push, how much fruit it will carry, and how evenly it will ripen. Prune too lightly, and the vine overproduces. Prune too aggressively, and vigor can spike. The goal is precision, not speed.
On the North Fork, where weather patterns can shift quickly, thoughtful pruning is essential. It helps us manage vigor, protect vines from winter damage, and set the stage for consistent ripening across varieties like Pinot Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Teroldego.
Winter pruning is done entirely by hand. Crews move row by row, vine by vine, often in cold, damp conditions. Every vine is evaluated individually—its age, health, and growth from the previous season all factor into how it’s pruned.
This work is physically demanding and mentally focused. There’s no shortcut. The decisions made in January and February quietly shape harvest months later.
Beyond pruning, winter vineyard work includes tying down canes, repairing trellising, and monitoring for cold injury. Vineyard teams keep a close eye on temperatures, especially during deep freezes, to assess potential bud damage. Although we are lucky not to have to worry about cold damage much because of our maritime climate here on Long Island, which moderates our temperatures and protects our vines.
Because vines are dormant, this is also the time to correct issues that would be impossible to fix mid-season. Winter gives us the clarity—and the time—to make the vineyard stronger.
As a certified sustainable vineyard, our winter practices play a major role in long-term vineyard health. Balanced pruning supports vine longevity, reduces disease pressure, and minimizes the need for intervention later in the season.
Simply put, good wine begins with good farming—and winter is where that commitment really shows.
By the time spring arrives, the vineyard will already be months into its journey. Budbreak, flowering, and harvest all trace back to the quiet, thankless work of winter pruning.
So next time you enjoy a glass of Suhru & Lieb wine, know that its story began long before the growing season—with cold hands, careful cuts, and a deep respect for the vines.
