Behind the Vines: The Art of Leaf Thinning

How This Practice Contributes to a Great Harvest

As the summer sun warms the vines at Faith Hope & Charity, the vineyard is alive with quiet, purposeful movement. Among the rows, you’ll find our vineyard manager, Steve, leading the charge with his years of experience and watchful eye. Alongside him is Bob, one of our dedicated crew members, who knows each vine almost like an old friend.

They’re all focused on one task right now: leaf thinning—a hands-on practice that makes a big impact on the quality of our grapes, and ultimately, the wine in your glass.

What Is Leaf Thinning?

Leaf thinning means selectively removing leaves from around the grape clusters to improve air flow and sun exposure. Too much shade can lead to under-ripened grapes. Too much exposure, and we risk sunburn on the delicate fruit. The trick is in the balance—and that’s where experience and intuition come in.

Steve and Bob know when to thin lightly and when to open up the canopy a bit more. Each vine is different, and each vintage brings its own set of challenges. Timing, weather, vine health—it all matters.

All Hands on Deck

This time of year, it’s truly a team effort. Even when they’re not pouring flights or explaining wine notes, our tasting room staff, including Hope, Emilie and Luke are stepping into the vineyard to help. It’s not unusual to see them trading corkscrews for pruning shears, carefully working alongside the vineyard crew before and after their regular shifts.

This kind of all-in, hands-on approach is what sets our wines apart. Everyone on the team, from vine to glass, plays a role in shaping the harvest.

From Sunlight to Sip

Leaf thinning may not be glamorous, but it’s a very important step we take to ensure healthy, flavorful grapes. It helps each cluster reach its full potential—developing the balance, structure, and expression that define our wines.

So next time you raise a glass of Faith Hope & Charity wine, know that behind the smooth finish and layered notes, there’s a little bit of sun, a lot of care, and the hard work of Steve, Bob, and even your favorite tasting room team members.