The Standard Vertical Trellis

With this long established system, the fruiting canes are trained upwards from the trunk. It is also known as vertical shoot positioning or simply VSP. The canes are supported by securing them to a number of trellis wires running the length of the row of vines. The canes may be trimmed off at the top, and consequently the row takes on a hedge-like appearance. It may be spur or cane pruned. This system may be seen in Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, using a short trunk with close planting to increase vine stress. In Alsace, Germany and the New World it is employed using a higher trunk.