Spring in the vineyard: time to tie up the baguette

Spring is here, and with that comes sap flow. As temperatures rise and the sun comes out, the vineyard comes back to life. After a long hibernation, the vines on the estate are awakening, which means it's time for the next important step in the annual cycle—tying the baguette horizontally.

From winter pruning to new growth

During winter pruning (January to March), we carefully select which branch on each plant will grow into the new baguette (= the one-year-old branch that will bear this year's grape clusters). The rest of the old shoots are pruned away using the single or double Guyot pruning method. This is a tried and tested system that is perfectly suited to our Belgian climate.

Tip: pruning can be done using the Guyot or Cordon method. As a winegrower, you choose between the two, based on the climate, the grape varieties used, and the labor intensity.

Why tie horizontally?

When it comes to the development and growth of our new shoots, it's all about sap flow and growth regulation.

Plants naturally have what is known as apical dominance — they devote most of their energy to the top of a branch. If we let the baguette grow vertically, only the upper buds would sprout, and the lower ones (where we want bunches!) would remain underdeveloped.

By tying the baguette horizontally:

You distribute the sap flow evenly across all buds.
you encourage balanced shoot growth along the entire length of the baguette.
you get a nice, airy canopy with enough space for sun and ventilation, which is essential for preventing fungal diseases such as botrytis in our more humid Belgian climate.

How does tying work?

The baguette is carefully bent and attached to the support wire using a tying machine. This is a task we carry out with a gentle hand. The last thing you want is for that chosen baguette to break because you are acting too quickly. The branch is still fragile in the spring and breaks easily if you are too rough. We therefore guide the branch with care until it rests nicely on a taut wire.

In this way, we create a solid, horizontal base structure from which the new shoots can grow vertically, each with the potential to bear a bunch.

Why do we use this method at Entre-Deux-Monts?

At the Entre-Deux-Monts wine estate, we grow grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Gris. These are varieties that thrive in a cool climate, but can also be susceptible to disease if air circulation is not optimal.

Single or double Guyot pruning with horizontally tied baguettes:

- Protects against spring frost by keeping the bud position low
- Naturally limits the yield, which improves quality allows the growth of the plant to be properly controlled

Spring = laying the foundations

As we carefully tie up the baguettes, life flows through the vine once again in the form of sap flow. This sap flow will soon play a crucial role in how the shoots develop, how the buds sprout, and ultimately, how the grapes ripen. More on this in our next blog!