Late rains push grape growers to delay pruning by two weeks

Grape growers in the Deoli belt are holding off on their October pruning by up to two weeks after late spells of rain left vineyards wet and humid, conditions that favour fungal disease.

October pruning sets up the fruiting season, and its timing affects when grapes ripen and reach the market in early spring. Growers say a short delay is better than a damaged crop.