The Casarsa vine training system is a permanent cordon method characterized by medium-long pruning, derived from the Sylvoz system. It originated out of necessity during World War II in the municipality of Casarsa della Delizia (Pordenone), where the wives of winemakers, left to manage the vineyards alone, adapted the pruning method to optimize time and resources. Thanks to its efficiency, the Casarsa system quickly gained popularity.
In this system, the vine trunk grows to a height of 1.5 to 1.8 meters and extends horizontally. From this trunk, the fruiting canes, shortened to 50–70 cm and carrying 6–10 buds, naturally bend downward under the weight of the vegetation and grape clusters. Renewal shoots grow from the base of the cane.
Post spacing in the Casarsa system varies depending on soil fertility, typically ranging from 1.5 to 3 meters along the row and 2.8 to 3.5 meters between rows.
Casarsa vineyard trellis system
An efficient vine training solution for productive vineyards
Essential components for your turnkey Casarsa system
To properly implement a high-quality Casarsa trellis system, selecting the right materials is crucial. Galvanized steel vineyard posts are preferred for their long-term strength and durability. These posts should be spaced between 6 and 8 meters along the row, with a height of approximately 2.5 meters above ground, to effectively support the cordon structure.
Additionally, the use of steel wires is essential: one to support the permanent cordon and two upper wires to guide the renewal shoots. These wires ensure structural stability and promote healthy plant development. The Casarsa system is also compatible with mechanical harvesting, making vineyard operations faster and significantly less labor-intensive.
Characteristics
The Casarsa system features a trunk that grows vertically up to a height of 1.5–1.8 meters before extending horizontally for 2–3 meters, forming a permanent cordon. From this cordon, fruiting canes emerge, shortened to 50–70 cm and bearing 6–10 buds. As the season progresses, shoots and new growth develop, which are then tied to the supporting wires to ensure optimal vegetative renewal.
Row height and spacing
Post spacing varies depending on soil fertility, with in-row distances ranging from 1.5 to 3 meters and row-to-row spacing between 2.8 and 3.5 meters. In the Casarsa system, wire heights are adjusted according to pruning needs. The first wire is placed 1 meter above the ground, while the second wire supports the horizontal cordon. Additional wires are installed to support renewal shoots and to tie the new growth to the third wire, positioned around 2 meters above ground.
Pruning
Pruning in the Casarsa system closely follows the Sylvoz method but includes differences in how fruiting canes are positioned. During the first year, a single shoot is trained. In the second year, only one shoot is retained to reach the second wire. From the third year onward, upper shoots are encouraged to grow and pruning continues along the established permanent cordon.
The advantages of the Casarsa system
Ease of management
Although the pruning technique requires some manual intervention, the system allows for abundant yields with relatively simple vineyard management.
Ideal for medium-fertility soils
This training system is particularly effective on moderately fertile soils, where other methods may not deliver optimal results.
Harvest efficiency
The grape clusters are well exposed and easily accessible, enabling faster and more cost-effective mechanical harvesting with reduced labor input.
Pruning flexibility
The system supports flexible vine management, with short pruning during the first two years followed by fruiting cane pruning for sustained production.
Other vineyard trellis systems
Guyot system
The most common vertical shoot positioning (VSP) system in Italy is undoubtedly the Guyot system, adopted in approximately 35% of Italian vineyards. This method employs corten or galvanized steel vineyard posts, ranging from 2 to 2.3 meters in height above ground, and spaced about 5 meters apart along the row. The first trellis wire is typically set between 1 and 1.2 meters from the ground, with additional wires placed at roughly 40 cm intervals.
Sylvoz system
Best suited for fertile and fresh soils, the Sylvoz system is characterized by a permanent horizontal cordon placed on the second wire, with fruiting canes of 8 to 12 buds tied in an arch shape on the lower wire. Galvanized steel vineyard posts, ranging from 2 to 2.5 meters in height, support 5 to 6 trellis wires. Post spacing is generally about 6 meters along the row, and 3 to 4 meters between rows.
Everything you need for a Casarsa system
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