As we welcome 2025, we’re kicking off the year at Deno Wine with some essential vineyard work. After a long 2024, our Grenache vines at the Alto Pomar Vineyard in Templeton, just outside Paso Robles, are ready for their annual “haircuts.”
Bringing Vines Back into Balance
Winter pruning is a critical part of vineyard management. Each Grenache vine shoot can hold up to a dozen buds, and if left unchecked, each bud could grow into another dozen shoots. That much growth may sound impressive, but the vine simply can’t sustain it while producing high-quality grapes that fully mature. Careful pruning brings the vines back into balance, ensuring the upcoming growing season produces the rich, flavorful fruit that Paso Robles wine is known for.
Fighting Fungus and Preserving the Future
Pruning also allows us to manage vine health. Wood fungus is a common challenge in our region. When we spot older wood showing signs of disease, we remove it and preserve lower shoots that can take its place. To protect the vines from future infections, we apply Vita-Seal, a specialized sealer that keeps fungus spores at bay.
Head-Trained vs. Trellised Vines
At Alto Pomar Vineyard, we grow both trellised and head-trained vines. While these two training methods look different, both will end up supporting a similar number of shoots by the time spring arrives. After bud break, we’ll thin the vines once more to ensure the healthiest growth possible.
The vineyard is quiet now, but the work we do during these winter months lays the foundation for the next vintage. Stay tuned—we’ll share new photos as the season progresses, giving you a closer look at the care and attention that go into every bottle of Deno Wine.
Interested in a visit? Our Tasting Room is open year-round, offering wine-tasting experiences in the heart of Paso Robles wine country. Stay updated by joining our mailing list for the latest news and events. Plus, don’t miss out on our 2018–2021 estate-grown Grenache blends, available now at our wine shop.