There are several methods to trellis grapes. The process of trellising grapes involves training your young grape vines to grow up to your trellis system and using the correct pruning methods to influence how your grapevines grow along the trellis.

Most grape growers use a trellis system called the four cane kniffin system. The four cane kniffin system is not the only method but it is a tried and true method of producing the largest quantity of grapes in the smallest space.

Plant your cuttings in a row, about six to eight feet apart depending on the grape variety. Then build a trellis system above them using wooden posts and two rows of wire.

The young cuttings will produce several shoots. Your first task is to select the strongest shoot and remove the rest. Stand a stick or old broom handle next to each cutting and use it to guide the shoot straight up to the first trellis wire. Gentle tie the vine to the stick as it grows to make sure it grows straight up.

When the shoot reaches the first wire, pinch off the growth tip. This will its advance and case the vine to branch off into several new shoots. Select two of the most promising shoots (canes) and guide them out in either direction along the trellis wire. These will form the first two canes of the four cane kniffin system for trellis grapes. Finally, select a third shoot and guide it upwards towards the second wire.

Once your grape vine reaches the second wire you will follow a similar process of training your trellis grapes. Pinch of the growth tip and wait for several new shoots to appear. Select two of the strongest and guide them out along the top wire.

This process of selecting four branches and sending them out along the two levels of trellis wires will probably take two full growing seasons. But you will have created a strong foundation for future growth. Your trellis grapes will have a solid trunk and support system on which they can produce large quantities of juicy fresh grapes.