Growing-Grapes.org

Here is a great video with instructions on how to prune a grapevine.
http://naturehills.com/gardening/blogs/helpful_gardening_tips/archive/2009/02/04/grape-vine-pruning-video.aspx

Step 1 Allow the grape vine to grow any-which-way the first year it is in the ground. Having abundant stems and leaves will help develop a strong root system on immature grape vines. No pruning at all for the first year.

Step 2 Select the strongest and most vigorous-looking stem during the winter of the first year. Using bypass pruners, remove all the other stems at the base of the plant or as close to the trunk on the main stem as possible. Stake the remaining stem which will become the trunk of the plant. Use a grape stake or secure the vine along a fence with wire.

Step 3 Allow stems to grow from the main trunk. In the spring of the second year, begin removing all but two of the very best side shoots that grow from the trunk. If the vine isn’t branching where you want it too, pinch the top of the main trunk to encourage side branching.

Step 4 Cut back the top of the trunk during midsummer of the second year, when the vine reaches the desired height. The process of tip pruning will force new growth along the main trunk. Remove any new branches that don’t fit your plan.

Step 5 Cut back all but the desired side branches and the main trunk during the second winter. What you have now is the basic frame for the plant – an upright stem with two sets of side branches.

Step 6 Allow the vine to grow during the third spring and summer, removing anything that grows from the trunk. You want to retain the basic framework of the vine.

Step 7 Leave 12 buds along each of the arms during the third winter. Pruning during the third winter is crucial to future fruit production. These 12 are the buds that will produce fruit during the 4th summer. Each of the 12 should have 1-2 leaf joints so that the vine looks like a stubby hat rack when you are finished pruning. These are called ‘renewal buds’ and will remain on the plant forever.

Step 8 Prune the 12 renewal buds so that there is always one more bud growing from the tip. This practice will continue from the fourth winter onward. What you are doing is allowing the renewal buds to extend and grow one bud length every season. During the summer, the fruit develops on the new growth that springs from the renewal bud. Keeping them short during the dormant season keeps the plants under control.

Here’s the deal with grape vines (how the wine vintners do it):

Prune your grapes in winter (December or January), after all the leaves are dead and dropped off. There should be a main stalk coming up the middle. Cut this off at the top as high as you want the vines to grow. Vintners do this at about 4 feet. My grandfather let these grow up to about 8 feet high to a tall trellis. But, let’s say you’re going to do it at 4 feet. Cut off all side trunks so you just have the main trunk going up the middle, if necessary.

Drive a couple of stakes about 4 feet to either side of the vine, 4 feet high. Run steel wire across these stakes, one at 4 feet and one at about 2 feet off the ground. If there are two side shoots coming out of either side of the trunk at the correct heights (4 feet and 2 feet), leave these in tact and cut off all other side shoots. If not, cut off all side shoots. These will have to sprout next year and fruit production will be delayed a year. Use twine or gardening tape (that green plastic stuff about an inch wide) to secure the side shoots to the wire. Cut the ends of these off at the stakes to where you basically have a double T shape, 4 feet high and 8 feet wide in total (4 feet in either direction).

If the correct side shoots were not there and they have to grow next year, tie them to the wire and cut off the ends when you prune next winter.

Let the vine grow and sprawl the next year, until the following winter. Cut off any new shoots that sprouted from the main trunk. For all new shoots that grew on the side shoots, cut those back to 2 buds from the side shoots (a couple inches long). These are the buds that will fruit the next year.

Every year, you let the vine just grow and sprawl. But, you will cut off all new shoots from the main trunk and you will cut all new shoots from the previous year’s fruiting branch back to two buds in the winter. The two buds will be the buds that produce fruit the next year.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1428.html

the diagrams might help…..