Big Vine Theory Research with Dr Paul Epee

This show was published Friday, May 1, 2026

Overview

The latest in vine training methods with Dr Paul Epee of the Bragato Research Institute in Marlborough, New Zealand.

This week we are geeking out on research into vine trellising systems and taking a really deep dive into how vines can be optimally trained.

Mechanisation in vineyards today means the vine training is essential to give the vine a shape and form to allow it to be managed efficiently. The vine also needs to be exposed to sunshine so training plays a part in forming the optimum structure to produce quality grapes.

Trellising systems have evolved over time, but the dominant system for Sauvignon Blanc is VSP or vertical shoot positioning.

Trellis system = post, wires, clips - the infrastructure to support the vine.

The trellis is then adapted to whichever training system you have selected for your vineyard.

In Marlborough, the current training system for Sauvignon Blanc is the head-trained, cane-pruned system. Paul explains how this works and why it was adopted to essentially encourage more fruitful nodes on the vine.

The latest research project is a 7 year programme which in its second phase involves testing three training systems designed to extend the vine size and bring down the vigour of the vine. The pilot phase of the project took 2 years/vintages to test 8 training systems. The six vertical (upright) cordon was the most effective, promising system from the pilot. In stage 2 of the research, this system is being developed by testing the big vine theory - extending the vine horizontally and vertically - testing just 3 training systems.

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