Lifting the vines is an indispensable operation, traditionally carried out by hand, which consists in raising the trellis wires in order to accompany the ascending growth of the vegetation and to facilitate the vine's vertical growth. This has physiological and practical benefits.
- First of all, the trellising ensures good ventilation of the future bunches of grapes, better exposure of the foliage to the light by avoiding gaps and overcrowding and thus better interception of the sun rays. For optimal photosynthetic activity, it is strongly recommended not to exceed three successive layers of foliage. Leaves beyond this thickness no longer receive enough light to produce sugar.
- Lifting also prevents the branches from being broken by the wind and/or machinery and facilitates the passage of the latter between the rows.