January 25-26 2027

Vine Pruner Advanced – Santa Cruz Guyot Pruning School

Location: 575 Portola Rd, Portola Valley, CA 94028
Training system: Guyot
Winter session: January 25-26, 2027
Spring session online class: the link to the spring session will be emailed 10 days before the effective day of the online class.

Language: English & Spanish

Learn to Prune with Purpose. Build Healthier Vines for the Future.

Pruning is more than a seasonal vineyard operation. Every cut influences the structure, development, and longevity of a grapevine.
Join the SIMONIT&SIRCH Guyot Pruning School in the Santa Cruz Mountains and discover a pruning approach that places vine health and long-term development at the center of every decision.
Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on vineyard training, participants will explore the principles of the SIMONIT&SIRCH Pruning Method and learn how to apply them to Guyot-trained vines.

What Will You Learn?

• Understand grapevine physiology and the importance of sap flow continuity.
• Recognize how previous pruning decisions influence vine architecture.
• Apply controlled branching principles to support long-term vine development.
• Improve fruiting cane selection and renewal spur management.
• Learn how to minimize pruning wounds and limit the impact of wood desiccation.
• Develop the observation skills needed to make informed pruning decisions.

From Theory to Practice

Working directly in the vineyard under the guidance of experienced SIMONIT&SIRCH tutors, participants will learn to evaluate individual vines, recognize different pruning situations, and apply practical techniques that support vine health and longevity.
The goal is not simply to learn where to cut, but to understand why every pruning decision matters.

Who Should Attend?

Vineyard managers, vineyard supervisors, professional pruners, viticulture students, and wine industry professionals looking to improve their Guyot pruning skills.

Better pruning starts with better understanding. Learn to make every cut count.

Winter Session

1st day, January 25th

• 8:30 AM: Meeting and Call for the participants
• 9:00 AM: Theoretical Lesson on Principles of the Simonit&Sirch Pruning Methodology
• 12:30 AM: Lunch
• 01:30 PM: Practical session in the vineyard
• 04:30 PM: end of the day

2nd day, January 26th

• 8:30 AM: Meeting and Call for the participants
• 9:00 AM: Theoretical Lesson on Principles of the Simonit&Sirch Pruning Methodology
• 12:30 AM: Lunch
• 01:30 PM: Practical session in the vineyard
• 04:30 PM: end of the day

Spring Session

The Spring Session will be done through an Online Class, the duration will be 2 hours, this time can change according to the amount of Q&A during the class.

The link to the Spring Session will be emailed 10 days before the effective day of the Online Class.

Info

For all pruners, there is no bad or good weather, but only good or bad equipment. So come equipped to work in all weather conditions.
Be prepared with appropriate clothing for the season: rainwear, rubber boots and a change of shoes. Don’t forget to bring functioning pruning shears, work gloves and goggles.

For information: info@simonitesirchacademy.com

Enrollments will be accepted depending on availability.

The cost of the course will only be refunded if the minimum number of participants is not reached.