Pruning Season at Can Gelat
As winter sets in, the vineyards at Can Gelat enter their period of vegetative dormancy, shedding their leaves and preparing for the next growing season. This is the ideal time for pruning, a crucial step in winemaking that directly impacts vine health, grape quality, and overall vineyard sustainability.
Why Is Pruning Essential?
At Can Gelat, we take pruning seriously because it plays a key role in:
✔️ Ensuring vine longevity – Preserving sap flow to keep the plant healthy over the years.
✔️ Managing vine growth – Keeping branches structured and well-maintained.
✔️ Optimizing grape yield – Balancing fruit production for better quality wines.
✔️ Reducing water stress – Essential in Mallorca’s warm, dry climate.
To achieve the best results, we tailor our pruning approach based on the unique characteristics of each grape variety and vineyard parcel.
Pruning Techniques at Can Gelat
We use two primary pruning methods, each chosen based on the needs of the specific grape variety:
1. Double Cordon Spur Pruning (Callet)
In the first video, you’ll see double cordon pruning applied to our Callet vines, a native Mallorcan grape known for its naturally high yield. This system maintains two permanent lateral arms, carefully pruned each year to:
🍇 Control fruit production – Callet vines are naturally vigorous, so we limit vegetative growth to just 8 shoots per plant. Later, we perform a green harvest, leaving only one grape cluster per shoot for optimal concentration of flavors.
💧 Manage water stress – Fewer shoots mean less demand for water and nutrients, a vital adaptation to Mallorca’s hot climate.
🌱 Protect vine health – Small pruning cuts are made on old wood, always leaving a portion of “respect wood” to safeguard sap flow and prevent unnecessary stress on the plant.
Video
2. Guyot Pruning (Cabernet Sauvignon)
The second video features Guyot pruning on our Cabernet Sauvignon vines. Unlike the cordon system, Guyot pruning renews the fruiting cane each year, making it ideal for grape varieties prone to fungal diseases like Esca, which can damage or even kill the vine.
🍷 Preserving vine health – Since Cabernet Sauvignon is susceptible to wood diseases, this system prevents long-term infections by renewing the fruiting wood annually.
🌞 Adapting to Mallorca’s climate – Cabernet Sauvignon produces small, aromatic grape clusters that are highly concentrated but also prone to dehydration under the intense Mediterranean sun. By carefully selecting canes, we balance fruit load and maintain vine vitality.
🌿 Encouraging structured growth – Unlike upright-growing varieties like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon grows in a more chaotic, sprawling manner. Guyot pruning helps manage its shape, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight and air circulation.
Video
Precision Pruning for Premium Wines
Each grape variety has its own unique needs, and at Can Gelat, we respect nature’s rhythm to bring out the best in every vine. By hand-pruning each plant with care, we ensure that our vineyards remain healthy, balanced, and capable of producing the highest-quality grapes—ultimately shaping the distinctive character of Can Gelat wines.
Cheers to another year of exceptional winemaking! 🍷✨