Pruning controls the number of grapes that will grow in the next season by determining how many buds are left on the vine - this ultimately affects the concentration in the wine that will be made. Pruning the vine short will protect the vines from winds and drought. Pruning the vines 'long' might assist the shoots to reach sunlight later. Growers may cover the base of the plants to protect them from freezing. The stalk, leaves and tendrils begin to form within two weeks of sprouting and is vulnerable to frost.
Any frost can 'burn' the shoots and cause irreparable damage.
The ground may be prepared for the planting of new vines the following year. Vignerons may 'green harvest' to reduce the number of unripened grapes so that what remains can become more flavourful. The seedless grapes may mature but will not grow larger - this is called millerandage. Grapes are picked by hand and sorted or machine harvested. If it rains, the vintage may be ruined.