Neglected Grape Vine

Just signed the tenancy on an allotment today and there is something on the allotment I wasn't expecting! I think it's a grape vine that's been left untended for a while. I think it's too late in the year to prune it back now (?), so I was wondering if you had any advice about how to proceed.

I'd definitely like to keep it, so I don't want to damage it this year, but I would like to tidy it up in the meantime (if possible?). I read about just winding it around its supports and then pruning it back over the winter.



Thanks in advance,

James

What you have to do is find the main stem from the ground and then you have the option of cutting all the canes back leaving just two good ones at the top and  tie them in to some sort of support one each side. Leave about five buds on each cane and let it grow for this season you might get a few bunches no reason to think why not. Next year you have options to leave the two canes and prune the new wood back to two buds each or select two of the new canes and tie them down as you did before leaving five buds a side and cut out all the other canes.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=285#section3

Here is a link that may help you out about pruning a vine. What I would say is that some prefer a cordon type vine when not growing for wine making. What is important is that you do not leave too many buds on it you want grapes not wood. I would go ahead and get it pruned as soon as possible and try to leave just two canes at the top.

I have four along my south facing garage wall and use a cordon and spur prune training method as these grapes are for eating and I get a good crop. Here is a photo of mine I have been taking hard wood cuttings and am about to expand my grape growing to make a barrier between the house and garden.

To be honest you will need a lot more grapes than that vine can produce to make wine... you need about five bunches to make one bottle! And for a good wine you don't take more than 5 bunches per vine
What you can do if you want is root some of the pruning's, it is quite simple. For one cutting take a good hard wood pruning about 18" and cut it straight through the lowest bud then dip it rooting compound then plant if in a deep pot of gritty compost and keep it well watered and in a nice warm spot by the end of the year it will have rooted. Do as many as you want you will get a high success rate plant them out next year and don't take any grapes the first year after planting out... before you know it you will be drinking château Giddings

Remember to plant the cutting the right end in the soil so I always prune the top of the cutting first with an upward cut!!