006: Why Pruning is the Most Important Vineyard Activity with Marco Tessari

Pruning has consequences, but only through awareness, can you improve your technique. We need to prune every year, but we have to do it properly and in a way that's respectful to the vine. After all, how your vines grow largely depends on how you treat them. In today's episode, international pruning expert Marco Tessari imparts his wisdom and knowledge about pruning as well as some tips and strategies to either start applying now or at least be thinking about as you're trying to develop your permanent vine structure. Sharing his expertise, whether traveling around the world or through online consultation, Marco is literally revolutionizing how growers are pruning their own vineyards. Marco also teaches an annual premium course for our Virtual Viticulture Academy community of growers that has been a huge success and has really helped a lot of growers learn how to prune properly and improve their vine productivity and longevity. Through his consulting, he's able to teach people how to prune and follow them through the process day by day, not just giving instructions but spending long hours in the vineyard. When he's not in the vineyard, Marco spends his time bobsled training. The fastest he has gone is 90 miles per hour! In this episode, you will hear: Important aspects of pruning ​​The common reasons that pruning goes wrong Signs and examples of poor pruning practices Tips for training your crew How to renew a trunk while keeping the vine in production How to get past the fear of the spur creep Understanding the actual trunk structure of the vine Tips for new pruners Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.   Resources: Do you have pruning questions for Marco or Fritz or other vineyard questions?  Click the Ask Fritz button at VineyardUndergoundPodcast.com. Get more information on Marco's 2023 Virtual Viticulture Academy pruning courses by contacting us at [email protected] or visiting  2023 Pruning Courses. FREE Pruning Guides Preventing Grapevine Trunk Disease  Pruning Shear Sharpening  Learn from 100+ winegrape growing videos and how-to-guides on the Grower Guide Library on Virtual Viticulture Academy.   Today's Guest: 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. Follow Marco or contact Marco.   Other Mentions: Hear Fritz on episode 155 of the Sustainable Winegrowing podcast from the Vineyard Team. Check out Montecalvi Winery in the Chianti Classico area of central Tuscany that Fritz and Marco mention in the podcast.   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.