Grapes are best pruned in spring (February/March, or even as late as early April) because if pruned too early a hard frost in late winter can damage the canes and buds.

When should you cut a grape vine back?

The main pruning time is early winter (late November or December). Pruning later can cause the vine to bleed sap, weakening the plant. Training and pinching out of new shoots, as well as thinning of fruits, is carried out in spring and summer.

When should I prune my grapes for winter?

- Once grapevines lose their leaves, the plants fade into the background of the winter landscape. That's the time to take action and get out the clippers. January through the first of March is the season to prune your vines, said Bernadine Strik, a berry specialist with Oregon State University Extension Service.